LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Jonathan Filipe scored a pair of goals and Thomas Drillien added a third but the scoring could not overcome a four-goal second half by Rider University as the Stags fell to the Broncs by a 4-3 score on Wednesday night. 

The two teams kept each other in check for the first 25 minutes of the match before Fairfield began exert some pressure up front that kept Rider pinned within its defensive third. After a few scoring opportunities missed the mark for Fairfield, Jonathan Filipe turned things in the Stags favor. In the 38th minute, a Rider defender had the ball glance off his hand inside the box, earning a penalty kick for the visiting team. 

Filipe was chosen for the opportunity and the senior converted his fourth penalty kick of the season when he sent the ball into the upper left corner to push Fairfield in front. Just three minutes later, the Stags were able to double up their lead with a quick strike that started with passes from Santiago Gonzalez and Rasmus Sorensen Rejnhold. The duo's ball movement set up Filipe with a perfectly timed pass that found the senior in free space just eight yards from goal. Filipe finished the play with a shot that found the lower corner of the near post to send the Stags into the locker room with a 2-0 lead.

The momentum established in the first half for Fairfield disappeared just minutes into the second half when Fairfield was whistled for a hand ball inside the box, giving a penalty kick to Rider. Taner Bay converted the free kick with a shot to the lower corner to bring the home team within a goal at 2-1. The goal seemed to kick start the Rider attack as the Broncs continued to push forward. The pressure paid off in the 61st minute when Zaki Alibou made a solo run across the top of the box and released a shot that was tucked just under the cross bar to tie the game at 2-2.

The Broncs took the lead just two minutes later after a corner kick sent the ball into the center of the box. After the ball bounced between a few Fairfield defenders, Sergio Aguinaga was able to direct the ball toward the far post and into the back of the net to move the score to 3-2 at the 62:24 mark. The home team was able to pad the lead to two goals as Jeremy Peterson was able to get enough of the ball to deflect it past the goalkeeper in the 76th minute, a play that was set up by a cross from Aguinaga.

Fairfield made a comeback bid when Thomas Drillien converted a pass that was sent his way by header from Sorensen Rejnhold. The sophomore one-timed a shot that touched the far post and bounced into the back of the net, making the score 4-3 with 4:52 remaining in regulation. The Stags were not able to mount any additional offensive chances resulting in the one-goal setback.

The Stags will have a week off before returning to the pitch when they host Quinnipiac University at Lessing Field on October 27. The match is slated for a 7 pm kick off.