FAIRFIELD, Conn. – On most nights, good efforts are rewarded with a positive result on the scoreboard. Despite putting forth a gutty performance tonight, the Fairfield University men's soccer was unable to put any goals on the scoreboard which led to a 2-0 setback against unbeaten Colgate University (3-0-1).

Throughout the night, the Stags were creative in their methods in establishing position inside the box for most of the game, finishing the evening with 14 shots as compared to the Raiders' eight attempts. But finding the target was elusive for the home team as Colgate kept their back line rigid throughout the game.

Fairfield flourished in the midfield which often ended with the ball finding a forward inside the box. But the Raiders defense quickly found those forwards and forced shots that were not fully developed and ended with inaccuracy. The Stags took six shots through the first 45 minutes but only one required any action from goalkeeper Oliver Townend.

The same could be said for the Stags back line as only two of Colgate's shots were on task, one collected by goalkeeper James Anderson while the other found the back of the net in the 38^th minute.

On the scoring play, Simon Hall sent a ball toward goal which Anderson managed nicely to get in front of the play but the ball skipped right back to Max Edelstein who finished with a shot that went to the far corner to put the Raiders in front by a 1-0 score. It was the first goal allowed by Anderson and the Stags defenders since the season opener on August 26 at UMBC.

The second half became more successful for the Stags as they found a way to draw the Colgate defenders outside the six-yard area by releasing deeper shots that were at times outside the box. Fairfield spread the back line by attacking from the right and left channels and often at the top of the box.

One of the opportunities came through the creativity of Alex Olivera, who placed a shot that curled around the back line and seemed destined for the far post only to have Townend get his fingertips on the ball to keep the one-goal edge.

The Stags continued to pressure through the presence of Sorensen-Rejnhold, Drillien, and Raz Amir, but despite more than doubling up the Raiders in the shot department during the second half, were unable to put one between the posts. Fairfield took eight shots to Colgate's three attempts over the final 45 minutes. Once again, Colgate took advantage of its chances when Timmy Donovan scored off a set piece from the left side, just tucking the ball inside the far post in the 78^th minute.

"Credit to Colgate for getting the win tonight," Head Coach Carl Rees said after the game. "There is a reason that they are unbeaten. We knew they were going to be difficult to break down. In the second half, I thought we got penetration in wide areas and created chances but just didn't show the technique to get the ball in the back of the net tonight. Colgate's a good team but I think we are a good team too."

Fairfield will take to the road for its next game on the pitch, traveling to Bryant University for a Sunday afternoon match that commences at 2 pm. After that road trip, the team returns to campus for two more home games with the University of Rhode Island coming on September 14 and Princeton University arriving for a September 17 match.