FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team fought back twice from a two goal deficit but could not get the equalizer as they fell to the Niagara Purple Eagles 3-2 on the road. Elle Scott and Maddie Kiely touched net for the Stags, whose eight match unbeaten streak was snapped with the loss.
 
Niagara, the top-ranked offense in the MAAC, scored three goals for the seventh time this season. That high powered offense was shown early in the match as the Purple Eagles struck first with a goal less than two minutes into the game.
 
The Stags would have a chance to tie the game in the first half after earning a free kick in a dangerous part of the field. Gabby Diodati presided over the free kick and sent a curving shot towards the bottom right part of the goal, but Niagara goalkeeper Clara Bornett was able to dive to her right and deflect any trouble.
 
The Stags would finally get on the board in the second half after Scott chased down a pass inside the box and after an initial save, sent her second chance over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The score was the sixth of the season for Scott.
 
The momentum for Fairfield, however, would be short lived as Niagara pounced on another goal in the 53rd minute.
 
The Stags would continue putting the pressure on offense, taking seven shots in a 16 minute span. Stephanie Tsangaris had a pair during that stretch, including one attempt that forced a jumping save from the goalkeeper.
 
Their best chance came with 14 minutes left in regulation as Diodati sent a left-footed strike towards net that was punched away by the goalkeeper. The rebound found the foot of Maddie Kiely who sent another shot towards net, forcing another save by the keeper.
 
Kiely would get revenge four minutes later as she found a pass from Reagan Klarmann and sent the shot past the keeper to put the deficit at 3-2.
 
Needing another goal for the equalizer, the Stags earned a corner kick with under five minutes remaining. Diodati sent a service that found the head of Lexi Lehan whose header went off the crossbar.
 
The Stags would have one last effort for the tie with a corner kick with under 20 seconds left but the kick was cleared by a Niagara defender, ending the match.
 
The Stags out-shot Niagara 19-13 but were edged 8-6 on shots on goal. Aytana Muschajew would finish the match with five saves.
 
Fairfield returns to Lessing Field for a battle with Monmouth on Wednesday night at 7pm.