FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Traditionally, the Fairfield University men's soccer team has prospered through its defensive excellence, a quality that has been the backbone of the program's success. The task of maintaining that distinction lies in the capable hands of the goalkeeper and the back line.

The dynamic between a goalkeeper and his defenders is critical in order for an team to have any degree of success. This concept is not lost on Will and Colin Marment, brothers who joined the Fairfield University men's soccer program for the 2021 campaign. Will was the team's starting goalkeeper in the season opener at Albany while Colin lent support as a reserve defender. Together, they understand the importance that the two positions play in helping a team win matches.

"As a defender, you look to provide safety for the keeper and protect him so that the saves he has to make during the game are not difficult," Colin said. "As a collective, the back four gets tighter as the season goes on and their bond gets stronger which makes the back line so much more effective. It's knowing what the person is going to do before he does it which comes with time and being together."

Will knows how important that bond is between his defenders because it breeds dependability and familiarity for him.

"The bond between the goalkeeper and his back line on and off the pitch is important," Will said. "You have to have that understanding and knowledge that a defender is going  to be in that position when that ball goes to that spot on the pitch. I have to know the defender will be there and the defender has to know that I am there behind him."

While instinct plays a role, communication is paramount to the two positions being in concert with each other.

"Communication is a massive positive when it comes to being successful in the back," Will said. "It's mostly positive and reinforcing each other but if you have to give it to someone roughly now and then, that's what you do. But it's more about respect when you are on the pitch."

With expectations comes accountability and the positions of back and goalkeeper are perhaps the least forgiving on the pitch.

"When it comes to off the pitch, we are best friends," Colin said. "But when it comes down to it, we have to hold ourselves accountable if we are going to be successful and understand that it's all good when we go back and forth with each other."

While the brothers have played the game since their younger years, Will and Colin will play together for the first time this season. Will is five years older than his sibling and comes to Fairfield after a successful career at Vassar College. Colin joins the Stags after playing and graduating from Fordham Prep where he was an All-American as a senior. Will was also a standout at Fordham Prep where he was an All-State goalkeeper and led the team to much success in postseason games.

"We've were one year off in terms of playing together in high school," Colin said. "But we have trained together with our father and we played pickup games at Chelsea Piers (Stamford) but this is the first year that we are together as teammates. I've always looked up to him both athletically and academically so it feels really good to be together this year."

It was a special moment when they took the pitch for a friendly with Fordham during the preseason, something that they shared with their family as well.
"When we stepped onto the pitch against Fordham, it was a really good moment for us," Will said. "But it was also a good moment for the whole family because mom and dad and our grandparents were there to see us play."

On Friday, the Stags will play their home opener against Yale University at Lessing Field. Playing in front of Fairfield's boisterous home crowd is something to which the brothers look forward.

"Going away to Albany to start was a tough place to play an opener," Will said. "Now we have Lessing Field to play and the grass looks perfect for a home opener. We get to play a real quality opponent in Yale so we look to make the most of it, get a good home town crowd behind us and put on a good show."

The reputation of the Stags faithful is not lost on the brothers as they have already heard about the support the team gets when playing at home.

"I've heard there's nothing like it when playing under the lights at Lessing Field," Colin said. "I am really excited and looking forward to playing in front of the crowd for the first time."

Fairfield and Yale will play on Friday night at Lessing Field with game time slated for 7 pm. Currently, all Fairfield University Athletics home events are open to the public in all sports. Fans are reminded that masks are required for entry to all Fairfield University indoor facilities, regardless of vaccination status. The University will continue to abide by CDC, campus, and local guidelines.