FAIRFIELD, Conn. – If the first game of the season is any indicator for the rest of the year, then the 2022 campaign will definitely be an exciting one. The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team scored two goals in the second half to rally and overtake UMass by a 2-1 decision in the season opening game at Lessing Field. Both goals came from Fairfield newcomers with graduate transfer Maddie Mills and freshman Sam Kersey both netting their first goals as Stags.
 
"I was really pleased with the second half performance," Head Coach David Barrett said. "I thought we got some decisions wrong in the first half and made some corrections there. I thought our response at halftime was really good and I'm really proud of this result. This is a really good side that we played against today, they are really athletic and certainly gave us trouble. To come out of this with a comeback win is a good start for things."
 
The Stags out-shot UMass 9-4 in the second half while controlling the majority of possession. Trailing 1-0 with 13 minutes remaining, the Stags picked up their first goal of the season off the right foot of Mills. The graduate transfer collected a block shot and sent the ball rolling past the goalkeeper to tie the match at 1-1.
 
Fairfield would need only four minutes to grab their second score of the afternoon as Sam Kersey received a flick ball from Elle Scott and powered her shot past the keeper for her first collegiate score. Reagan Klarmann was also credited with an assist on the play as she set up the flick from Scott.
 
The Stags had to comeback from a late goal in the first half with UMass netting the game's first score with just three seconds left in the first half. Lauren Bonavita scored the go-ahead tally as she grabbed the upper right corner of the net directly off a corner kick.
 
UMass out-shot the Stags 15-12 in the contest and a 9-6 advantage with shots on goal. The Stags made eight saves with five of those coming in the first half. Gena Pike made all five of those stops before leaving with the game with 20 seconds left in the first half. Katie Wright would collect two saves in her collegiate debut and the defense also recorded a team save off the line.
 
Six different Stags attempted at least one shot with Scott leading the group with four. Kersey would collect three attempts while fellow freshman Maddy Theriault notched two. In total, six of the 12 shots and both goals were scored by Stags making their team debuts.
 
"They're here for a reason," Barrett said. "They add a lot to what we do. Maddie Mills makes a tremendous difference in the midfield and in that area. Sam gives us a lot of dynamic movement and Maddy is a physical handful. She's going to be a presence."
 
With the victory, the Stags start the season 1-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons. They also bring their career record against UMass to 3-3-1 while enjoying their first win over the Minutewomen since 2005.
 
Fairfield will be back in action on Thursday night at Holy Cross at 7pm.