FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the second straight match, the Fairfield University men's soccer kept its hopes alive for one of the six Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament spots. This afternoon, the Stags scored a first-half goal and made it stand in their 1-0 win over Canisius College. The team moved within a point of the number six spot with two games still left on the docket.

                The conditions were conducive to possession soccer but that didn't stop the Stags as they moved the ball with precision, finding open space for nearly the final 15 minutes of play. Canisius could not gain any control of the ball during that time, keeping the visitors from mounting any dangerous attacks or counters.

                "It's crucial to any win when you can occupy the ball because possession can be your best defender," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "Eventually, they have to go where the ball is being played so basically our movements off the ball can pull defenders and open gaps because it's quick ball movement.  Ideally, you want to use that to create more opportunities."

                When Canisius was able to gain possession and attempt to move forward, Fairfield's back line kept the Golden Griffs away from the box and forced the opposition to take shots from a distance. Fairfield goalkeeper Gordon Botterill was exceptional this afternoon with five saves in posting his second straight clean sheet.

                Fairfield had difficulty putting the ball on target during the match, taking 10 shots but only two were on net. Fortunately, one of those chances resulted in the game's only goal, a play that came about in the 14th minute.

                A Canisius defender went up for a header but the ball ricocheted back toward his own goal. Cooper Knecht gained possession about 30 yards from goal and darted toward goal with three quick dribbles. Facing a charging goalkeeper, Knecht calmly finished the chance by lifting the ball over the oncoming defender and watched the ball hit the back of the net at the 31:58 mark.

                Ironically, Fairfield also was mistreated by the goal posts this afternoon, hitting both the left and right posts on two shots. The first shot came in the first half when Marcus Nordgard hit a line drive that seemed destined for the goal but curved late and smacked against the far post. Don Junior-Bobe also nearly had a goal late in the second half but his shot was partially deflected before hitting the near side post.

                Having done what it can do to stay active in the standings, Fairfield must now turn its attention to its final two matches, both of which come on the road. The Stags will stay local on Saturday afternoon for a match up with Quinnipiac University before making the long trek to upstate New York for a Wednesday afternoon game with Niagara on November 6.

                "We earned a crucial three points in a good tactical battle," Rees said. "Defensively we were solid but we need to be more ruthless in the final third. We earned back-to-back wins and scored seven goals in our final three home games, but now we need to prepare for our next game and be ready to move on."