FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- With the seven non-conference games tucked away, the Fairfield University men's soccer team will begin Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Wednesday night by hosting Rider University. The match represents the start of a two-game home stand that will also include Saint Peter's University on Saturday afternoon beginning at 3 pm. Both dates will take place at Lessing Field.

Head Coach Carl Rees has brought his a great deal of conference success to the program after the years, none more than the last two campaigns. During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Fairfield sported a 15-1-4 record (.850 winning percentage) and captured a regular season and tournament title (2017) and a regular season title (2018). The Stags have an 18-game regular-season unbeaten streak against MAAC opponents coming into the 2019 campaign. That streak will be put to the test in the 2019 MAAC opener as Fairfield hosts Rider University, a team which won the MAAC tournament last season by collecting road wins against #4 Rider, #1 Fairfield, and #2 Quinnipiac in the MAAC tournament.

The Broncs bring a 3-3-0 overall record into Wednesday night's match which includes a 2-1 overtime victory at Stony Brook on September 24. Rider received a penalty kick goal from Pablo DeCastro in the 45h minute to tie the Seawolves before ending the game on Mathis Catanzaro's goal in the 106th minute of play. The team held a healthy advantage in shots over Stony Brook including an 8-3 edge in attempts during the second half.

DeCastro and Clement Bourret represent the team's top goal scoring threats as the duo have three goals each in their six starts. DeCastro also has an assist to his credit which gives him a slight lead in total points among his teammates. While those two student-athletes are putting the ball in the net, Catanzaro is the only Bronc with multiple assists this season, securing a team-best three assists which gives him five total points this year. Pablo Gatinois has earned the majority of minutes in Rider's goal, logging 450 minutes in his five starts to post a 1.60 goals against average with a .667 save percentage. Garret Potter also has one start on his ledger, playing 105 minutes in the win against Stony Brook. He allowed one goal (0.86 goals against average) and made three saves (.750 save percentage). 

Fairfield earned a victory in its last outing, a 1-0 victory at Army West Point behind a strong defensive effort. The Stags earned their second clean sheet of the season behind a seven-save night for goalkeeper Gordon Botterill. The junior turned away six of those seven shots in the second half including a pair in the final four minutes of regulation. For his efforts, Botterill was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week. He lowered his goals against average to 1.34 and raised his save percentage to .804. He places first among all MAAC goalkeepers for save percentage while his 41 saves ranks 11th in the nation (5.9 saves per game).

Cooper Knecht scored the game-winning goal at Army, the sophomore's first career goal after securing an assist in his freshman season. Fernando Robayo remains the team's top goal scorer with two, translating into a team-high four total points. Matt McGlinchey places second on the team with four points, breaking down to one goal and two assists. Daniel Raimondo and Knecht complete the team's goal scorers with on each.