FAIRFIELD, Conn. – With the preseason behind them, the Fairfield University men's soccer team will move forward with the 2021 season opener on Thursday night when the Stags travel to the University at Albany for a 7 pm match.

Head Coach Carl Rees hopes his squad will be able to build off the success of the preseason which included three shutouts in three exhibition matches. The fact that the team did not surrender a goal in those games bodes well for a program that is often among the best back lines in the nation.

"We didn't concede a goal in three games and that's difficult to do," Coach Rees said. "Accomplishing that comes down to organization, hard work, application, concentration, and camaraderie. But we know that it's going to be a test with Albany because they are very good at attack."

The Great Danes finished the 2020-21 spring season with a 3-5-1 record but won three of its final four regular-season games, scoring eight goals in those contests. Albany returns its top five scorers from the spring campaign, a quintet led by Adam Aoumaich's four goals and one assist. Austin DaSilva, the 2019 America East Striker of the Year, was next in line with two goals and three assists for seven points.

The scoreless streak in the preseason is equally impressive since the two goalkeepers responsible did not play a minute for the Stags during the spring. Conor Forrest and transfer William Marment combined for the three clean sheets. Cormac Pike contributed to the team's defensive success as well, showing why he was selected as an Preseason All-MAAC defender.

Fairfield also has several transfers who will be part of the Stags journey this season, namely Riccardo Iafrate (UAlbany), Nick Dimitrijevic (American University), Daniel Anusic (University of Copenhagen), and William Marment (Vassar College). Those four student-athletes mixed with the freshmen class give a new look to the Stags for the 2021 campaign.

It's been seamless with the transfers and the freshmen," Coach Rees said. "There are elder players with vast experience playing positions. The freshmen are looking at the chance to learn from some of these guys. They are all very competitive but the younger guys also appreciate It's a good blend. Hopefully we can get that blend right between youthful exuberance and older players."

Offensively, Fairfield returns the top three scorers from the spring season, led by forward Jonathan Filipe. He posted three goals and two assists for eight points, slightly higher than Alex Oliveira's two goals and one assist for five points. Thomas Drillien, the MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year, was next in line with two goals and four points.

"We have great leadership this year," Coach Rees said. "Cormac has been phenomenal so far while Jonathan Filipe and Thomas Drillien are leaders by example. This is a strong tight knit group that likes having fun but they also know when it's time for business and they respond."

Fairfield will open the home portion of its schedule next week when they host Yale University in the home opener on September 3. The Stags will complete the two-game home stand on September 7 as Army West Point comes to campus. Both games will be played at Lessing Field beginning at 7 pm.