NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- The Fairfield University men's soccer team played Iona College to a scoreless draw this afternoon at Mazella Field. For the Stags, the result represented the second time in three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) games that they played to a 0-0 tie. Fairfield opened the MAAC schedule with the same decision against Rider University on October 2.

In this edition, both teams had opportunities in the offensive third but was unable to capitalize on those chances. Fairfield enjoyed a slight advantage in the first half, creating five shots as opposed to Iona's three attempts. Both teams put a pair of shots on target in the opening 45 minutes with the goalkeepers turning away both to keep the game scoreless heading into halftime. Marcus Nordgard was responsible for one of Fairfield's shots on goal while Jack Weiss took a pair of shots, one of which hit the post and the other forcing a play from the Iona goalkeeper.

The Gaels picked up the pace and tried to keep pressure on the Stags defense by taking 11 shots. Only two of those shots were on goal but Fairfield keeper Gordon Botterill handled both of those chances. Fairfield managed five shots during the second half but only Matt McGlinchey's try was threatening as Iona goalkeeper Guiliano Santucci made the stop in the 77th minute.

With neither team scoring in regulation, the Stags looked to play its sixth overtime match while the Gaels only played extra time for the second time this season. The two teams combined for three shots in the first 10 minutes of overtime with the Stags holding a slight 2-1 edge in that category. Iona's shot was the only one on goal as Botterill made the save to the bottom right corner. The second overtime belonged to Iona as the home team took all six shots in the final 10 minutes with Botterill making one save during the barrage. 

By game's end, Botterill secured his fourth clean sheet of the season with six saves, bringing his goals against average to 1.27 through his 10 appearances. Santucci was credited with three saves in his 110 minutes of action, all of which came in regulation.

The Stags will return to the pitch on Wednesday, October 16 when they travel to Marist College for a 7 pm match. Fairfield will play its next home game on Saturday, October 19, hosting Monmouth University at Lessing Field for a 7 pm match.