FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A pair of second-half goals proved to be the difference in today's match between the Fairfield University and Canisius College men's soccer teams as the Stags scored in the 63^rd and 90^th minutes to keep pace in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) standings with a 2-0 win on Senior Day.

With parents, alumni, and fans watching enthusiastically, the Stags responded with a strong effort in the back while also creating enough pressure to keep Canisius from mounting any sustained attack over the 90 minutes. The Stags held a healthy advantage in shots and corner kicks, doubling up in shots (18 to 9) and tripling up on corner kicks (9 to 3). The result was Fairfield's second straight clean sheet against a MAAC opponent.

"Over the last two games, we attempted to control the game in possession and out of possession," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "So when we don't have the ball, we want to be defensively compact and to make good decision when to engage and when to drop. Offensively, we've been working on how to break teams down. Today, I thought we created great opportunities."

Fairfield's opportunities came throughout the match, putting eight shots on target and testing goalkeeper William Howard often. The graduate student made several point-blank stops that kept his team level especially in the first half. Raz Amir had two excellent chances in the first half but Howard made a pair of lunging plays that kept the game scoreless at the end of the first 45 minutes.

Fairfield continued to keep things open at the start of the second half and earned strong penetration from both attacking corners as a result of their play. Still, Howard continued to frustrate the Stags with a few more saves including one on a penalty kick in the 67^th minute. After he made the diving stop, the ball came back into play where Cormac Pike ran it down and sent a cross to the center box where Alex Marin struck a shot that caught the upper right corner to give the lead to Fairfield.

Rather than staying back, Fairfield continued to make runs toward goal which forced Canisius to continue to in a defensive mode and limiting the team's offensive chances. In the 80^th minute, Ely Sidibe broke free with an excellent chance but goalkeeper James Anderson did not yield.

Soon after that moment, Fairfield took advantage of the Golden Griffs need to push everyone forward in the closing minutes with the hope of catching a goal with more pressure. On one of those attacks, Fairfield countered which released Amir freely down the left side of the pitch. He cut back and sent a shot from 15 yards which was stopped by Howard. However, the ball returned to the junior off the save and Amir was able to strike a shot into the upper right corner of the goal with seconds remaining.

Anderson was equally effective this afternoon, making four saves including two in each half, which earned the junior his fifth clean sheet of the season and his second straight on this three-game home stand.

While the win is important for the Stags in terms of the standings, it was even more so to gain a victory for the seniors and graduate students who were honored before today's match.
"In terms of an occasion like today, it was very important to win in front of their family, in front of our alumni and on Lessing Field," Coach Rees said. "There is added pressure in these scenarios, but we try to embrace it to make a memory and these guys will never forget it."

Now, Fairfield will take its quest for a MAAC Tournament berth on the road for three straight matches which begins next Saturday in upstateNew York. The Stags take on Niagara University before continuing its road swing with Iona on October 26 and Marist on October 29. The team finishes its regular season on November 2 against Siena College which will be played at Lessing Field.