NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's soccer started a three-game road trip this evening with a hard-fought 1-0 setback to Yale University, The decision dropped the Stags to a 1-2-2 overall record while the Bulldogs remained unbeaten with a 3-0-2 mark.

Defense dominated the first 45 minutes of the match as the two teams combined for five shots with the Stags holding a slight advantage by a 3-2 count. One of those three attempts by the Stags produced the only scoring chance between the two in-state teams. Fairfield tested Bulldogs goalkeeper Elian Haddock in the 36th minute when Connor Knecht sent a shot toward goal that forced a save. 

Yale stepped up the pressure in the second half which resulted in a distinct advantage in scoring opportunities. Less than two minutes into the second half, Yale's Mark Winhofer sent a shot that was on target, forcing Fairfield goalkeeper Gordon Botterill to make a save. The Bulldogs would earn another chance in the Stags defensive third but this time they would make good on the attempt. A free kick was awarded to the home team and Jeremy Haddock finished the set piece to give a 1-0 lead to Yale. 

Sophomore Jonathan Filipe became more involved in the offensive scheme later in the half as he was responsible for the team's next two shots. The first of his attempts was blocked but the second try made it to the goal area before being turned away by Elian Haddock. The Stags were dealt a blow when a player was sent off with a second yellow card, leaving Fairfield with 10 on the pitch for the final 10 minutes of the game. Despite being down a man, Fairfield was able to hold its own against Yale with the defense only allowing one shot the rest of the way. Unfortunately, Fairfield was only able to get one shot off in that same stretch which finished off the game in Yale's favor.

Fairfield will remain in state this weekend when it plays its next game at the University of Hartford on Saturday afternoon. The game is slated for a 4 pm start. The three-game road trip finishes up at Army West Point on September 24, the Stags' final non-conference game of the season. The Stags' next home game comes on October 2 when they host Rider University in their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener.