FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team fought to a scoreless draw against ACC member Syracuse in an exciting back-and-forth contest at Lessing Field. The Stags, who were up a player for the final 39 minutes, kept the pressure on the Orange but could not find the back of the net. Katie Wright made two saves in the shutout, her second of the season and the sixth of her career.
 
"I feel like we created enough chances to win," Head Coach David Barrett said. "We're finding ways to create opportunities but we need to figure out opportunities to be more patient and be a little less direct. It was a good bounce back after the disappointing result on Thursday. It was better, we're moving in the right direction and we'll figure out some of the questions."
 
Both teams waited through a four-hour rain delay with the initial start time scheduled for 1pm. The two teams would kick off at 5pm after heavy rain doused the field.
 
The momentum picked up in the second half with both teams creating chances that could have put their team up for good. Maddy Theriault broke free with a breakaway chance in the 51st minute and was tripped up by a Syracuse defender. The defender was given a straight red card, forcing the Orange to play a player down for the final 39 minutes.
 
The Stags would have the bulk of chances throughout the rest of the game, out-shooting the Orange 10-3 in the second half.
 
Syracuse's goalkeeper was able to stop one-on-one chances by Elle Scott and Theriault, with her best chance coming in the closing three minutes.
 
Fairfield also almost snuck on the scoreboard with a line drive shot by Cailin Panacek, that forced the Orange's netminder to fully extend to hit away the shot. The graduate student also made her impact felt on the defensive side as she cleared away potential trouble inside the penalty area in the final five minutes.
 
In total, the Stags out-shot Syracuse 14-8 with Theriault, Scott, and Sam Kersey all tying for the team lead with three attempts.
 
The Stags will close out the non-conference portion of their schedule with a road game against crosstown rivals Sacred Heart on Wednesday night at 7pm.