FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's soccer team dropped its regular season finale to Siena College by a 2-0 margin at Lessing Field this evening. The Stags will now focus on the upcoming 2022 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship this weekend, entering the tournament as the number six seed. 

Siena took an early lead with a goal just a few minutes into the match when Bilal Hersi made a run down the left flank before cutting back to the center of the pitch. Just outside the 18-yard box, Hersi released a shot that was perfectly place just inside the far post, beating goalkeeper Berk Watson who received his first start of the season. 

Down a goal, Fairfield pressured immediately and began to see progress as the offense moved the ball freely through the middle and offensive thirds. The Stags managed to take six straight shots before the Saints managed to get one of their own in the 18th minute. Among those six shots for Fairfield was a penalty kick that was not successful. After the diving save by goalkeeper Greg Monroe, the ball caromed back into play where a follow up shot was sent wide of the target, keeping the one-goal lead intact.

Siena rallied for a pair of shots later in the half, the second of which required a defensive side when the ball eluded the goalkeeper but was cleared off the line before any more danger was absorbed. The Stags followed up that scare with some more pressure up field where Thomas Drillien, Juan Pablo Leano, and Alex Marin tested Monroe but the graduate student turned away both Fairfield shots that were on target during the seven-minute stretch.

The Saints doubled their advantage late in the half on a play that started with a run by Junior Kone who dribbled from left to center before poking a pass between Fairfield defenders to free up Thomas Storodegard. The sophomore carried the ball for a yard before sending his shot to the far corner to bring the lead to 2-0 in the 42nd minute. 

Fairfield held a substantial 11-5 advantage in shots during the first 45 minutes but Monroe was able to eight saves to keep the Stags off the scoreboard. The Saints meanwhile were credited with five shots in the half.

The Stags started the second half lively by setting up Kaea Rangihaeata just a few minutes into the period but while his shot tested the goalkeeper it did not find the back of the net. Fairfield had one more shot on target in the second half when Stephen Perno put his attempt toward goal but the ball was collected by the goalkeeper to keep the lead stable.

Watson made four saves in his Fairfield debut with three of those coming in the second half. Monroe ended his evening with 10 saves in the Siena net.