FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to the Harvard Crimson on the road in the middle game of their three match road swing. The Stags battled from the very start, especially on defense, as the Stags kept Harvard scoreless in the second half despite taking on 15 shots in the frame.
 
"We defended with a lot of conviction and commitment by blocking shots and getting in the way and it's showing a lot of character," Head Coach David Barrett said. "First half we had two or three really good counters and need to find a way to finish one of those. In the second half we got a little panicky and ended up losing the ball and had a hard time trying to keep it. Overall, I think the players showed a lot of character and learned a lot today."
 
The Stags held Harvard off the board for the final 81 minutes of the match after surrendering the lone score of the game in the ninth minute. Harvard's Angela Caloia found a loose ball inside the box and was able to sneak it past the goalkeeper for Harvard's first goal since the 2019 season.
 
Fairfield pressed up for the equalizer and had their best chance in the 19th minute when Elle Scott zipped up towards the top of the box and her uncontested shot was saved by Hannah Gardner. It was the second shot of the match for Scott and the seventh of the season, with all of those attempts on target.
 
The Stags would have one more chance in the first 45 minutes but Stephanie Tsangaris' attempt was also stopped by the Harvard keeper with less than five minutes left in the half.
 
Fairfield's defense kept Harvard off balance the entire first half with the Crimson taking just three shots on target with two of those saved by Gena Pike. Harvard was also called for six offsides violations in the first half and 11 total in the match.
 
Fairfield was on their heels for the majority of the second half as Harvard took all 15 shots of the stanza, but the Fairfield defense dug in and battled by keeping Harvard off the scoreboard. Goalkeeper Aytana Muschajew stopped all three shots on target during her 45 minutes and the Stags' defense stopped the rest. The Fairfield defense also had to withstand seven Harvard corner kicks in the second half and 10 in the contest.
 
Harvard's freshman Ainsley Ahmadian, who was ranked the ninth recruit in the nation, led the match with seven shots with three on goal.
 
The Stags will conclude their stay in the state of Massachusetts with a trip to UMass Lowell on Monday with kickoff scheduled for 6pm.