NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- The Fairfield University men's soccer scored early and scored late and the combination of the two provided enough for the Stags topost a 2-1 win over Niagara University. The Stags earned their sixth win pretty much in the same manner that they had in their previous victories - flashes of offense mixed in with a tenacious defense that kept opponents away from danger.

Fairfield started the game with pressure that created several chances that required some action from the Niagara goalkeeper. After Austin Capasso tested Niagara with the first shot of the game, Tommy Lozowski found space and put a shot on target that was set aside by the goalkeeper. Lozowski and Cormac Pike were next on the docket for the Stags' push as both sent shots that just missed the target. 

The fifth shot of the game proved to be the one that finally found its way into the back of the net as Diallo Simon Ponte took charge of the ball and released a shot that skipped past the keeper and put Fairfield in front. The goal appeared to awaken the Niagara front line as the Purple Eagles began to find ways to create chances in the Stags defensive third. The first three shots looked promising but each one was blocked or deflected by a Fairfield defender before getting to the goalkeeper.

Like their opponent, Niagara's play up front eventually proved true when Jayson Repine converted a pass from Matt Krucko-Moeller that ended up as the equalizer in the 29th minute. Even with the goal, the Purple Eagles did not relent and continued to press forward with the hopes of getting the lead. The home team worked its way into three more shots but none of the attempts tested the Stags goalkeeper.

The second half was much promising for Fairfield as the offense found some opportunity about 10 minutes into the period. Santiago Gonzalez, Pike, and Kheireddine Kourdassi each produced a shot but all three were blocked. Kourdassi earned one more try at the goal but his shot sailed wide. Still, the Stags began to work their way back into the game with the flurry and started to add pressure that would eventually lead to the game winner.

The deciding goal did come Fairfield's way in the 73rd minute as Jonathan Filipe worked his way into a scoring chance which he finished at the 72:21 mark, tilting the game in Fairfield's favor for the final time. Niagara could only manage one corner kick over the final 17-plus minutes, never getting another shot at the Stags goal.

The Stags ended the day with a 6-7-4 overall record and a 4-4-2 mark in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).