FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sometimes the stories just write themselves. In her first collegiate start, sophomore goalkeeper Juliette Grasso tied the program's single game record with 14 saves, but this story did not have a happy ending. In the opening minute of the second overtime, Monmouth's Olivia Ramiz took a shot that deflected off a Fairfield defender and found the back of the net, breaking the 0-0 tie and giving the Fairfield University Women's Soccer team their first home loss of the season, 1-0 against the Hawks.
 
"We have to find a way to win these games or get a result," Head Coach David Barrett said. "We're still learning how to do that. We're a team that's good enough to compete with anybody. We haven't figured out how to get the results in these games and we got to do that."
 
Both goalkeepers shined in a hard-fought defensive effort with 20 combined shots on goal being turned away before the double overtime winner.
 
Grasso was the story for the Stags as the sophomore tied a program single game record with 14 saves. She was tested right from the opening whistle, registering her first save just three minutes into the contest as Sarina Jones' attempt needed a diving effort from Grasso. She would make three saves in the first half, eight in the second half, and three more in the first overtime.
 
Included in those eight second half saves was a double save in the 77th minute as Grasso hit away Ramiz's shot and then kicked away the rebounded effort by Lauren Karabin. She would complete her career match with three saves in the first overtime period.
 
"I'm really proud of Juliette," Coach Barrett said. "She's a good goalkeeper and we've known that all along. She's had some injury issues that kept her sidelined otherwise she would have had more opportunity. She was very calm, very composed, and I'm really proud of how she responded."
 
Her 14 saves matches the program's single game standard as she becomes the fourth Stag to reach that number and the first since Kelly Boudreau in 2010.
 
Grasso's lone setback in the match came in the opening minute of the second overtime when Ramiz collected her own rebound and fired a shot that deflected off the defender and into the back of the net.
 
While Grasso shined as Fairfield's netminder, Monmouth's goalkeeper Rebecca Winslow was equally as impressive in keeping the Stags off the board. Winslow collected six saves in the shutout victory.
 
Elle Scott was the Stag to test Winslow the most as the reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week took five of Fairfield's six shots on goal. Her best chance came in the 77th minute as she held a 1v1 opportunity with the keeper, but Winslow was able to come off her line and deflect the shot away from danger.
 
Allie Landino had the other shot on goal for the Stags and had one of the best opportunities, but her right-footed attempt was pushed over the crossbar by the fingertips of Winslow.
 
The Stags were out-shot 28-12 by the Hawks including a 17-6 mark in the second half. Scott paced the way with a game-high eight shots.
 
Fairfield is back in action on Saturday when they welcome Canisius to Lessing Field. Before the match, the Stags will honor the eight member Class of 2022 with a special pregame Senior Day Ceremony at 11:45am.