FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The hot start for the Fairfield University Women's Soccer, that has included them winning five of their first six conference matches, has helped the Stags jump into second place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). On Saturday, the Stags will have another chance to fight for a top-two finish and a first round bye in the MAAC Championships when they travel to Rider to face the Broncs at 1pm. Rider currently sits two points behind the Stags in the standings with four matches left to play.
Fairfield closed out their homestand with a 2-0 victory over Marist on a rain soaked Lessing Field on Wednesday. With the rain pouring down,
Stephanie Tsangaris and
Nicole Stryjek touched the net for the Stags as they were able to defeat Marist for the first time in four years. Both scores came in the second half and started in the 58th minute when Tsangaris accepted a pass from
Julia McGuire and was able to find her shot and convert her chance. Stryjek scored with under five minutes to play on an assist from
Kelsey Gilbert.
The duo of Tsangaris and Stryjek have combined for 11 goals with Tsangaris now tied for second in the MAAC with six scores. The Stags also recorded their 28th and 29th goals of the season, one fewer than they tallied during the entire 2018 season. The 29 goals is also the 42nd most in the NCAA.
Aside from the impressive offensive statistics, the Stags' defense has been the anchor setting up the offense through conference play. Fairfield held Marist to just 10 shots in the game, including none in the first half. Through the first six conference games, only Niagara (11) has taken more than 10 shots in a game against the Stags.
Fairfield also recorded their seventh shutout of the season, as they have surrendered just four goals in conference play. The seven clean sheets ranks second behind Monmouth and 54th in the country. It is also tied for seventh most in the single season program history.
The Broncs will head into play two points behind the Stags in the standings after a 3-1 defeat to Manhattan on Wednesday. Before that contest, Rider was unbeaten in the MAAC (4-0-1) with four-straight shutouts.
Goalkeeper Carmen Carbonell was in net for all those shutouts and has posted a 1.02 goals against average and a .821 save percentage.
On the offensive side, Hailey Russell, Sofia Soares, and Mackenzie Rodriguez are tied for the team lead with four goals apiece.
The Stags will return home to Lessing Field for the final time in the regular season when they host Iona on Senior Night on Wednesday at 7pm. Before the game, the program will honor the Class of 2020.
