FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team opened the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) portion of their schedule this evening and came away with a 1-0 win over Mount St. Mary's at Lessing Field.

The Stags put forth a spirited performance that at times seemed to quell an enthusiastic start for Mount St. Mary's. The visitors, playing their first-ever soccer match as a MAAC member, showed exuberance from the onset of the match but the Stags back line consistently challenged and was able to curb the emotional start for the Mountaineers.

Both teams appeared adept at moving the ball into the offensive third but each back line was able to stabilize and prevent any dangerous situations in the opening half. The two squads combined for a total of three shots in the first 39 minutes with none of the attempts testing the goalkeeper.

In the 40^th minute, Fairfield nearly put the first goal on the scoreboard when Stephen Perno secured the ball around midfield and move the ball quickly into an offensive advantage. Before any defender could reach him, Perno surprised the Mount St. Mary's defense with a shot from 25 yards away that beat the goalkeeper but the ball hit the near post flush and ricocheted back to a Mount St. Mary's defender for a clearing opportunity.

In the second half, the Stags continued to dictate pace and applied pressure up front which would eventually lead to the only goal of the match. Just outside the box, a Mount St. Mary's defender lost control of the ball where Raz Amir was waiting to take advantage in the 49^th minute. And, the forward did just that by sending a shot to upper corner, deflecting off the goalkeeper's outstretched hands and caroming into the back of the net.

Mount St. Mary's began to move the ball up field at every opportunity and created several good chances to tie the game. Over an eight-minute span beginning in the 55^th minute, goalkeeper James Anderson was tested on three occasions and was able to collect each shot without incident.

The Stags nearly put the game out of reach with a precision passing in the 79^th minute as Amir and Thomas Drillien nearly combined for a goal but Drillien's shot was pushed wide on a save that required full extension by goalkeeper Ethan Russell.
The visitors had one last opportunity which came in the 82^nd minute as a Mount St Mary's player found open space on the far side of the box and sent a shot from six yards away. Anderson stepped into the shot, deflected the ball, and chased down the rebound to keep his clean sheet in place.

"I think we started well and we maintained the application of what we wanted to do after the half and down the stretch," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "This was a collective effort and we still have so many chipping in and rising to the occasions in situations when we need it most."

Fairfield will continue conference play on Saturday, October 1 when it travels to Quinnipiac University for the Stags' first road MAAC game of the 2022. Game time is slated for 1 pm.