RIVERDALE, N.Y. -- Three goals in the final eight minutes of the second half were the difference in this game as Manhattan College sent the Fairfield University men's soccer team home with a 3-0 setback at Gaelic Park. The Jaspers broke the game open with a pair of goals in the final 30 seconds of the game.

Fairfield had the better of the play in the first half, nearly doubling up its host with seven shots as compared to Manhattan's four shots. While getting opportunities was more readily available for the Stags, none of their shots were on target as Marcellin Gohier was not forced to make any saves. Fairfield goalkeeper Gordon Botterill was not challenged through the first 45 minutes either as the junior faced those four shots but did not have to make any plays. 

The second half saw the action pick up as more dangerous chances became more available for both sides. Manhattan made a threat just 37 seconds into the half with a shot that called on Botterill to make a stop. Fairfield applied pressure with a couple of shots, one of which came off a corner kick, but neither attempt would make any work for the Manhattan goalkeeper. It wasn't until Daniel Raimondo found some open space and sent a shot that was on target, but handled well by Gohier. 

Each team had opportunities over the next 20-plus minutes but most of the chances were benign outside a flurry by Manhattan that forced Botterill to make back-to-back saves, in the 75th minute. Manhattan broke through in the 83rd minute when Fairfield surrendered the ball deep inside its defensive third which was handled by Brandon Joseph-Buadi. The junior controlled the ball and quickly released a shot that was just inside the lower corner of the goal.

With less than seven minutes left in regulation, Fairfield was forced to press forward which left the team's defensive third more vulnerable. That vulnerability was evident in the final minute when Manhattan earned a corner kick in the 88th minute, placing the ball deep in Fairfield's end. The Stags nearly cleared the ball out of danger but Noah Amissah was able to secure the ball and chip a shot that found the back of the net with less than a minute left on the clock.

The Jaspers were not done though as they quickly regained possession and found room down the center of the pitch which eventually resulted in Berti Fourrier making a move toward goal that resulted in a shot that was saved by Botterill. Fourrier stayed with the play and redirected the rebound back toward the lower corner of the Stags goal which gave the home team its third goal of the game.

Fairfield will return home for its final two games of the season when the team hosts Siena College on Saturday night at 7 pm. Prior to the game, the Stags will honor their senior class. The team's final home game will take place on Wednesday, October 30 when it welcomes Canisius College for a 4 pm match. Both contests will be played at Lessing Field.