Box Score Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's soccer team opened the home portion of its 2020-21 Spring schedule with an overtime setback this afternoon as Quinnipiac University scored a goal in the second overtime to leave campus with a 1-0 decision at Lessing Field. The Stags are 1-1 in overall and in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play following the result

Both teams had opportunities to score throughout the game but wet turf and a slick ball often caused those chances to go awry and force little pressure on the goalkeepers. The two teams combined for 20 shots with Fairfield holding a 12-8 advantage, but only seven of those attempts caused any anxiety for the goalkeepers. Quinnipiac held a 4-3 edge in shots on goal including the final shot that ended the game in the 108th minute. 

Fairfield goalkeeper Gordon Botterill made a pair of acrobatic saves in regulation that frustrated the Quinnipiac offense. The Bobcats worked the ball into the box on one particular possession in the first half that set up an excellent chance from 12 yards away with a shot that seemed destined for the upper corner. Botterill fully extended and pushed the shot away from the corner and followed by collecting the corner kick opportunity to end the threat.

The Stags also had their chances in the game but a couple of key deflections by Bobcat goalkeeper Jared Mazzola prevented Fairfield from getting the upper hand. Jonas Vergin almost put the home team in front just a couple of minutes into the game when he controlled a shot 12 yards from goal and sent a shot toward the upper corner that required Mazzola to reach and push the ball over the cross bar to keep the game scoreless. Cormac Pike made a substantial bid for his second goal of the season when he also hit the target with a shot in the 13th minute, forcing Mazzoila to make a stop.

Neither team tested the opponent's defense much in the overtime minutes until Quinnipiac made a run with under three minutes remaining in the second overtime. Brage Aasen collected the ball outside the box on the right side and brought the ball inside the danger area. He sent a diagonal pass from the corner of the box toward the far post where Alex Holle made a smart cut toward the post where he found open space as well as the ball. The midfielder one-timed the ball past the diving Botterill to end the game with his shot to lower half of the goal.

The Stags will take to the road next week before returning to Lessing Field on March 28 for a match with Marist College. The game is scheduled for a 1 pm kickoff.