FAIRFIELD, Conn. – On a rain-soaked Lessing Field, where the rain ranged from steady to absolutely pouring, the Fairfield University Women's Soccer team withstood the elements and picked up a 2-0 shutout victory against visiting Marist, their fifth conference victory of the season. Stephanie Tsangaris and Nicole Stryjek touched net in the victory while goalkeeper Aytana Muschajew made a season-high seven saves as the Stags picked up their seventh shutout of the season.
 
"When the rain really started to come down I think our girls buckled in and gritted it out," Head Coach David Barrett said. "When it was light to moderate rain we played really well and it was effective. We kept them predictable in their play. They definitely stood strong against tough elements."
 
The weather was an impact all game long, as both sides had difficulties setting up many chances in the first half. Of the few chances there were, all of them belonged to Fairfield (8-4-2, 5-1 MAAC) as they out-shot Marist 11-0 over the first 45 minutes. Most of those shots tested Marist's goalkeeper Nicole Kelchner who was forced to make seven stops in the first half. The Stags actually fired five shots on target inside the first 20 minutes, with Ally Filipkowski putting a pair on net. Stryjek had the best opportunity in the 11th minute as she hit a cross from Gabby Diodati, but Kelchner was up for the challenge.
 
The Stags finally pushed through in the 53rd minute when Julia McGuire sent a pass to the top half of the penalty area that Tsangaris was able to control. The sophomore then spun around looking for an opening and found one on her left side and she was able to take a blast through that space for her sixth goal of the season. The six scores ties Tsangaris with Liz Dumas and two other players in the conference for second place in the league.
 
Fairfield would add an insurance goal in the closing minutes when Stryjek controlled a pass from Kelsey Gilbert inside the box and finished for her fifth goal of the year. It also marked the eighth time this season that the Stags have scored multiple goals.
 
Once again, the Fairfield defense helped to control the game, limiting the Red Foxes to just 10 shots with five of those coming in the final 12 minutes. In their six league games, the Stags have given up more than 10 shots just once, when Niagara tallied 11 in a 5-1 Fairfield win. Muschajew had her best game of the season with seven saves, four of those stops coming in that late flurry.
 
Fairfield also moved up to second place in the MAAC with their 15 points, two ahead of Rider who lost to Manhattan 3-1 on Wednesday. The Stags will look to further secure a second place finish when they travel to Rider for a matchup against the Broncs on Saturday at 1pm.