LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team clinched the second seed in the upcoming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament as they took a 4-1 decision at Siena on Saturday. That result coupled with a Rider loss to Monmouth gives the Stags a first round bye in the tournament and secured their highest finish in the conference since 2014.
 
"It was a survival game," Head Coach David Barrett said. "It was very physical and we needed to respond to an opponent who made it difficult to play soccer. I thought we hung in enough and took some good finishes to put the game away. I'm proud to have clinched a bye and it shows what this group is made of."
 
With the four goals scored, the Stags have now netted 43 goals this season, their most in a campaign since 2007 when they matched that 43 number.
 
Brooke Hernon broke the scoring open as she broke in through traffic and finished the shot in the lower corner in the 14th minute. That was the only shot to touch the back of the net in the first half despite both teams combing for 14 attempts through the first 45 minutes.
 
The Stags were once again very accurate with their shots with 10 of their 17 shots being on target. Siena's goalkeeper Taylor Dorado managed four saves in the first half, but the Stags would pour in the goals during the second half.
 
After surrendering the lead in the 55th minute, the Stags scored three unanswered goals for the 4-1 decision. Five minutes after Siena's Deanna Lomino tied the score at 1-1, the Stags regained the lead on another set piece. Gabby Diodati sent a corner kick off the post where Stephanie Tsangaris was able to get the rebound and finish past the keeper. Tsangaris netted her seventh goal of the season, tying teammates Liz Dumas and Nicole Stryjek for second in the conference.
 
Diodati extended her conference lead with her eighth helper of the season and the 18th of her career, putting her seventh on the Fairfield career list.
 
Fairfield added two insurance goals in the final 20 minutes with a Diodati score directly off a free kick and Julia McGuire capped the scoring in the 84th minute.
 
The Stags out-shot Siena 17-15 but a 10-4 margin on shots on goal. Gena Pike earned the win in net as she tallied three saves.
 
Fairfield will close out the 2019 regular season at the MAAC's regular season champions Monmouth on Wednesday at 7pm.