FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Whenever the Fairfield University and Rider University soccer teams get together, there is usually something at stake whether it be home field advantage, a conference tournament win, or in tonight's case, a positive start to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schedule.

                This match did not disappoint as two quality sides battled for an early advantage in the conference standings. And based on what was displayed on the pitch, the conference coaches were accurate in dispersing six preseason poll first-place votes between these two teams.

                As would be expected, each team attacked methodically and tried to establish some sort of residency in the offensive third. Both teams were creative offensively which in turn created chances. But on this night, the goalkeepers dominated with aggressive play and sure hands which frustrated the two offenses throughout the night.

                Still, both team had golden opportunities to put a goal on the board. Fairfield had the best of it early in the match before Rider was able to swing momentum back to their side. By the seventh minute, Rider appeared poised to strike first with some play up front that led to five shots in five minutes, four of which required some type of intervention from Fairfield goalkeeper Gordon Botterill.

                The Stags caused some concern for the Rider squad when Matt McGlinchey, the Stags' set piece specialist, was awarded a free kick from 25 yards away from goal. The junior drilled a low shot to the far corner of the goal which required every inch of extension available to goalkeeper Pablo Gatinois. The deflection landed over the line to set up a corner kick which Jonathan Filipe converted into another shot that was turned aside by Gatinois.

                By the end of the first half, Rider showed more promise offensively by doubling up the home team in shots (7 to 3) and holding a 3 to 1 edge in corner kicks. But those statistics did not translate into a goal which kept the teams scoreless after 45 minutes.

                The Stags were more responsive in the second half and owned the best three chances to score during the 45 minutes. The first threat came just a minute into the second half when a through ball was collected by Santiago Gonzalez. The sophomore took a hard shot that was directed to the lower corner but Gatinois was equal to the task.

                The second opportunity came later in the half when Filipe showed brilliance in the far corner of the pitch. Rider's goalkeeper came off his line to challenge but Filipe was able to elude the goalkeeper and sent a cross to the middle of the box where Colman Kim was able to corral the ball. The freshman put a shot toward the far corner of the goal but the shot was a tad off target as the ball caromed off the post and bounced back into play some 12 yards away from goal.

                The Stags nearly put the game away in the 70^th minute as McGlinchey stood over a corner kick and placed the ball over Rider defenders to the vicinity of Cormac Pike. The defender hit a perfect volley sailed over the goalkeeper but struck the crossbar and kept the game scoreless.

                In the two overtime periods, Fairfield put all three of its shots on goal but Gatinois was able to keep the ball out of danger. The Broncs managed two shots in the final 20 minutes but neither challenged Botterill.

                "I give credit to the guys who wrestled the game back from a very good Rider team," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "Defensively, we stood firm against a good attacking team. It's encouraging that we went toe to toe with a good Rider side. We just need to be more clinical offensively and turn clear cut opportunities into goals."

                The Stags will have another chance to turn those chances into goals this weekend when they host Saint Peter's in a MAAC game. The match is slated for 3 pm at Lessing Field.