FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team put together a valiant effort in its regular-season finale but came up short against Marist College on Wednesday night.

The match proved to be another defensive battle between two of the top offensive teams in the MAAC. Marist entered the match ranked second for goals per game (1.667 per game) while the Stags were a close third (1.625). On this night, both teams had opportunities but could break through the opponents' back line.

Fairfield had the better of things at the start of the game before Marist began to take better position on the pitch and exert more pressure up front. The Red Foxes broke through in the 18^th minute on a long-range shot from Henrique Cruz, who ran down a ball that was sent from central midfield toward the right corner of the box. Once he controlled it, he quickly released the ball from outside the box that just kicked inside the far post to put the visitors in front.

The Stags finished the first half with three shots toward goal with one requiring a save, an attempt by Thomas Drillien in the 11^th minute that was turned aside by goalkeeper Sam Illin. The Red Foxes posted eight shots in the opening half with three requiring saves from goalkeeper Will Marment. By the end of the first half, Marist still held its one-goal edge.

Marist would double its advantage just three minutes into the second half when Marment came off his line to try and cut down an angle of an oncoming Marist forward. In doing so, he upended the player which resulted in a penalty kick. Huib Achterkamp presided over the penalty kick and found the back of the net through the center quadrant and pushed the score to 2-0.

Fairfield continued to play forward to try and cut into the lead but things looked bleak when a red card put the Stags down a man for the final 27 minutes of the game. Even though they were shorthanded, the Stags still found a way to make the most of its next opportunity.

Rasmus Sorensen Rejnhold maneuvered through a couple Marist defenders down the left side of the pitch and cut toward the box. Once inside the penalty area, the freshman lofted a pass over the Marist defenders to Thomas Stickley, who waited patiently for the ball to reach him. The senior finished the play with a brilliant volley to the upper right corner to give the Stags a chance at 2-1 in the 80^th minute.

However, Fairfield was unlucky over the final 10 minutes and could not create any danger for the Marist defense, finishing off the game at 2-1.

"We knew that Marist was a possession-oriented team and we prepared for that but did not execute," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "The effort was thereconsidering we down a man and to come that close against the regular-season champions is a credit to the guys. Now we need to look forward and get ready for the tournament."

The Stags will play a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament quarterfinal game on Sunday. The pairings will be announced by the conference office at a later time.