Fairfield University Athletics

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- Joseph Lozowski scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute to send the Fairfield University men's soccer team to a 2-1 win at Monmouth University. The victory evened up the Stags overall and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) at 2-2 while the Hawks dropped their overall and conference slates to 1-2-1 after the result.

The first half featured both teams working their way through the offensive third and securing opportunities but few challenged the opposing goalkeeper. The Stags navigated into the box on three occasions but none of the three shots were on target. Monmouth was more active through the first 45 minutes which resulted in the Hawks setting up eight shots. Fairfield goalkeeper Gordon Botterill was able to turn away those chances by the Hawks with three saves on the eight attempts he faced during the first half.

Monmouth garnered the first offensive prospect of the second half when the Hawks were awarded a penalty kick just seconds in the period. Julian Gomez represented the home team in the box and promptly sent a shot into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Fairfield had a chance to tie the game in the 51st minute when Matt McGlinchey pushed a shot toward goal that required a save from Sean Murray. Five minutes later, Fairfield was awarded its own penalty kick which sent Jonathan Filipe to the spot. The forward converted the chance by driving a shot into the corner of the goal, tying the game at 1-1.

Fairfield took advantage of the momentum gained by its goal creating the next four shots of the game with Fillipe and Thomas Drillien each being credited with a pair of shots each. Filipe's second shot was the only attempt in the run of four that required a save which Murray turned away without much incident. Monmouth turned the tables over the next 10 minutes by spending time inside the Stags' 18-yard box which brought about three shots but none were on goal.

In the 73rd minute, Lozowski entered the game off the bench and began to work his way into the flow of the game. The sophomore made the most of his opportunity just 10 minutes later when he was presented with his own possibility inside the box. Alex Oliveria and Jonathan Filipe combined for a couple of crisp passes that brought the ball to Lozowski who finished the play with his first goal of the season at 83:38. 

Following the goal, neither team managed any more shots as play remained centered in the middle third of the field for most of the final six-plus minutes of the game. By game's end, Monmouth held a slight edge in shots at 15-13 as well as shots on goal at 6-4. Botterill secured five saves during his 90 minutes of work while Murray grabbed two saves. 

"I'm really pleased with the attitude and endeavor from our squad today," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "I felt that we used our squad resources well. Players who are not starters became our finishers today. We move on quickly to the next one."

The next one on the Stags' schedule is Rider University as the Broncs will host Fairfield on Saturday night at 7 pm. Fairfield will play its final regular-season game when it hosts Manhattan College on April 5 at noon.