FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Despite putting forth another strong effort on its home pitch, the Fairfield University men's soccer team came up one goal short this evening against unbeaten University of Rhode Idland. The Rams scored a second-half goal off a set piece that resulted in a 1-0 setback for the Stags.

Rhode Island, which improved their overall record to 3-0-3 with tonight's result, played aggressively in the opening minutes of the match, setting up three opportunities that required activity from Fairfield goalkeeper James Anderson. The junior made saves on each of the those shots, all of which occurred in the opening 15 minutes.

Knowing when to make adjustments is critical to any success within a match and with a tweak in the midfield, the Stags were able to begin recovery from those opening minutes.

"They got control of the midfield initially and we had to adjust in that situation because that's where they were creating their chances," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "We weren't picking up their midfielders so we had to make an adjustment."

The adjustment enabled the Stags to counter and challenge the Rhode Island back line with subtle pressure that resulted in more opportunity up front. Rasmus Sorensen-Rejnhold had the first chance of the game when he sent a shot from the left side of the box that Rams goalkeeper Max Hinke was able to collect in the 19^th minute.

Viggo Sjoberg was next up for the Stags with a solid opportunity that built from the midfield and opened up a channel at the top of the box. The graduate student sent a ball toward the top corner of the goal but the shot continued to sail beyond the cross bar in the 27^th minute.

Fairfield's best scoring chance came in the 40^th minute when a ball was sent from midfield down the spine of the pitch which Sorensen-Rejnhold was able to control about 20 yards from goal. With the goalkeeper creeping off his line, the sophomore struck the ball from outside the box which was destined for the back of the net, only to be disappointed with a save from Hinke that required full extension toward the far post.

The visitors picked up pace at the start of the second half that resulted in more activity inside the Fairfield defensive third. Anderson was called on frequently in the second half to keep the game within reach and scoreless and the goalkeeper answered the call nearly every time. He faced 12 shots in the second half and turned away seven of those attempts.

Rhode Island scored the game's lone goal in the 76^th minute after Fairfield was called for an infraction on the far side of the pitch about 30 yards from goal. Edvin Akselsen stood over the ball and started the set piece with a cross that landed inside the box and within reach of Max Kwitchoff. The sophomore pushed a shot toward the far post and caught the corner to provide his team with a 1-0 lead.

The Stags nearly tied the game in the final minute after an extraordinary effort from Sjoberg. The midfielder found some open space on the near side of the box and released a shot that forced Hinke to sprawl to his left to keep the one-goal advantage intact.

"I thought we really gave a big performance and really good effort tonight," Coach Rees said. "The difference between these two teams was a set piece. We had our chances to clinch it. At the end of the night, we went toe to toe with a team that will probably be in the top 25 in the country so I am really proud of the guys."

Anderson finished the game with a season-high 10 saves, facing 16 shots over the 90-minute match. The Stags managed five shots in the game with three being on target.

Fairfield will return to Lessing Field on Saturday night when it hosts Princeton University for a non-conference match. The start time is listed at 7 pm.