FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's soccer team will continue its season-opening road swing by heading south for a 7 pm match up with St. Joseph's University on Wednesday. The Stags started the season with a 1-1 draw at the University of Rhode Island, giving Fairfield a 3-1-4 record in season openers over the last eight campaigns.

As has been its trademark under Head Coach Carl Rees, Fairfield's defensive effort was spot on with another match by allowing one goal or less, something that the program accomplished 13 times in its 18-game slate last season. The Stags started the season quickly on the offensive front as Fernamdo Rebayo posted the team's first goal of 2019 less than two minutes into the contest with a strike from the right side of the box at 1:34 mark. Cormac Pike and Daniel Raimondo set up the Rebayo goal, the fourth career assist for Pike and the first collegiate point for Raimondo.

The Rams pressed throughout the night and certainly earned its share of shots toward the Fairfield goal, but goalkeeper Gordon Botterill was equal to the task of facing Rhode Island's 29 shots which included 17 in the second half. The junior goalkeeper was credited with 15 saves in the match which included eight stops in the second half and three more saves in the two overtime periods.

Saint Joseph's opened its season against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Saint Peter's University and came away with a 2-1 loss at home. The Hawks also grabbed an early lead against the Peacocks, netting the game's first goal in the 18th minute. Leon Maric secured the team's only goal of the game off passes from Richie Barry and Garrett Lyons. The Peacocks would rally for a late first-half goal to tie the game with under four minutes left. Saint Peter's secured the deciding goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation, keeping the Hawks in check for the final moments of the half.

The Hawks were also tested defensively in the game as Saint Peter's rallied off 18 shots toward goal with 12 coming in the final 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Joseph Boehm collected 12 saves in the match, garnering six in each half. Saint Joseph's will finish up its home stand with Fairfield on Wednesday before moving onto the road for a September 7 date at LIU. Fairfield will host Stony Brook University that same night, beginning a seven-match home schedule that will continue with the Stags' match against New Hampshire on September 14.