BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Fairfield University men's soccer used a strong effort in the second half to rally for a 1-1 draw with Canisius University on Saturday afternoon.
The Stags used constant pressure over the final 45 minutes to keep Canisius on its collective heels. From the onset of the second half, Fairfield pushed forward and spent a majority of the second half inside the Golden Griffs offensive third.
Fairfield out shot the home team by a 10-4 count in the second half with
William Pierce gaining a majority of those attempts. More importantly, it was one of those shots that provided Fairfield with its lone goal of the game. The Stags held control about 25 yards from goal when Pierce took the ball and moved a few yards deeper before unleashing a shot from 20 yards which he tucked just inside the left post, making the score 1-1.
Pierce also had another opportunity later in the half when he secured the ball just outside the box and sent a shot toward the left corner but Canisius Jack Petrie was able to extend and make the save. Fairfield remained in control over the closing minutes, registering four shots in the last 12 minutes.
Cody Read,
Brett Sieg,
Raz Amir, and
Sam Danner each picked up an attempt, but none of those tries were able to beat the goalkeeper.
In the first half, Canisius dictated the tempo of the game, keeping Fairfield in a defensive posture for most of the first 45 minutes. The Stags was able to make some progress offensively, getting three shots but could not manage on target.
The Golden Griffs doubled up on shots, recording six in the first half. Three of those shots came in a flurry from Glodie Mata, the last of which resulted in the team's lone goal. He started the run by taking a sharp-angle shot that hit off the goal post and bounced back to him. He quickly sent the ball back toward goal but
Cody Read was able to make a defensive save but again the ball rebounded back to Mata. This time, he was able to place the ball just inside the near post to complete the scoring chance.
"I think we showed a good attitude and good spirit to fight back after that goal," Head Coach
Carl Rees said. "In the second half, Canisius had a couple of opportunities late but we were able to control the pace most of the half."
James Anderson earned the start in the Fairfield goal and came away with two saves. He allowed a goal for the first time since surrendering one against Bryant back in August. Petrie was also credited with two saves for the Griffs.
Fairfield returns home for a pair of games next week, hosting Manhattan College on Wednesday night before welcoming Marist College on Saturday night. Both games are scheduled for 7 pm at Lessing Field.
