WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team made a statement on Tuesday evening as the Stags went toe-to-toe with the four-time MAAC Champions Monmouth and fought the Hawks to a 2-2 draw. The draw snaps a 23-game winning streak for Monmouth against conference opponents. The Stags also snapped Monmouth's 10 match scoreless streak that spanned all the way back to Oct. 2, 2019.
 
"I thought the kids played really hard and competed well," Head Coach David Barrett said. "We wanted to think about the game in short increments and winning the moment. I think we got off on the right foot and that launched the game for us. I thought our tactics were better tonight and more effective. It was an even game and at the end of the day the result was fair."
 
The Stags responded well after their disappointing season opening loss by not only taking on the Hawks on their home field but also creating several scoring chances. Two of those opportunities found the back of the net as the Stags would take the lead with each score.
 
Liz Dumas helped the Stags send that early statement with her goal in the fifth minute. Elle Scott made a nice run down the near side and sent a long cross that sailed to the far side of the net where Dumas rushed in a sent a flying header bouncing into the goal.
 
Amazingly, that was the first goal a team has scored against the Hawks since Oct. 2, 2019 against Manhattan, ending a streak of 10-straight clean sheets against conference opponents.
 
The Hawks would answer back nine minutes later when a Stag was called for a takeout inside the box and Maddison Perna converted the ensuing penalty kick.
 
Fairfield would grab the lead once again in the 27th minute when Maddie Kiely's right foot found the ball inside the box and she sent a strike past the goalkeeper for a 2-1 advantage, marking her first career goal.
 
It was the first time since October 11, 2017 that a MAAC opponent has scored twice against the Hawks, and the Stags tallied two goals in 27 minutes.
 
A misplay in the Stags defensive third led to the second Monmouth goal as a team goal would level the score at 2-2.
 
The Hawks would keep the offensive pressure up to the conclusion of the half, but the Stags were able to keep the game tied. Gena Pike was able to clear a couple of corners, including one in the 42nd minute to go along with her one save for the half. In the closing minute, the Hawks had a good look towards the goal but their strike was blocked in the box and was cleared from further trouble.
 
Monmouth kept the pressure up in the opening minutes of the half when Sarina Jones had a 1v1 chance with the keeper but her open shot trickled well wide of the target. Olivia Homan also helped divert danger as she was able to clear the ball from a corner kick midway through the closing half.
 
Pike would be the one to swat away Monmouth's best shot as she came up big in the closing minutes of regulation by hitting away a shot in the final five minutes to keep the game even and force overtime.
 
The Stags also had chances in the final 45 minutes of regulation. Scott, who helped control the offense for the majority of the game, had an opportunity down the right side of the goa but Monmouth's keeper Rebecca Winslow was able to cut off the angle nicely and force Scott's shot wide.
 
Scott would test the keeper again in the opening minutes of the second overtime as her shot needed a diving save from Winslow who hit it out for a corner kick. The Stags would have one last chance on a corner kick with four minutes left but could not unleash a shot before it was cleared.
 
The Stags out-shot the Hawks 12-9 and held a 5-4 advantage with shots on goal. Scott led the Stags with a career-high five shots followed by Dumas with three.
 
Fairfield will now head back home for their final homestand of the shortened season when they host Manhattan on Saturday, March 27 at noon.