FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team came up one goal short against Marist College on Saturday night, falling to the visiting team by a 3-2 score at Lessing Field.

The Stags were once again successful at moving the ball around the pitch, leading to several scoring chances and 15 shots overall. While they were able to be creative up front, the Marist back line was able to keep the Stags from finding the equalizer in the closing minutes.

Fairfield was the team to strike first in this Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) match up. For the second straight game, senior Thomas Drillien was the answer inside the box with his second goal in as many games.

He was the recipient of a well-timed pass from Kris Naicker, who controlled the ball at the top of the box and sent a through ball that cleared the back line and sent Drillien one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Drillien sent the ball toward the far corner and the Stags celebrated an early lead in the 16^th minute.

Marist tied the game about 20 minutes later when Jared Juleau, one of the top scorers in the MAAC, secured an errant pass inside the box and reciprocated with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, catching the far corner in a replay of Fairfield's goal.

The Red Foxes secured their first lead of the game just three minutes into the second half when they were awarded a corner kick in the 48^th minute. Skyler Cunha sent the ball across the pitch into the center of the box where Joergen Thue Kristiansen was able to put his head on the cross and place the ball into the back of the net.

The lead would reach two goals in the 59^th minute when Bernardo Granindo converted a pass from Juleau for Marist's third goal of the game. The Stags nearly earned that goal back when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 69^th minute but the conversion failed when the ball sailed over the cross bar.
Unrelenting with its attack, Fairfield was able to collect its second goal on a brilliant effort from Sam Danner. The sophomore secured the ball at the top left corner of the box and curled a shot through the back line that tucked itself just inside the post to bring Fairfield to within a goal at 3-2 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

 James Anderson finished the match with six saves as the Fairfield goalkeeper while Luca Bulfon was credited with four saves for the Red Foxes.

"We put forward another good performance against a strong Marist team," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "We matched them throughout the game and really created more clear cut opportunities. The character traits of the team are positive and I am proud of the endeavor."

The Fairfield University men's soccer team will take to the road for an afternoon match with Siena College next Wednesday. Game time is scheduled for 3 pm.