LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team surrendered a goal in each half of today's match with Rider University resulting in a 2-0 setback on the road. The Stags made tried to rally late in the game by creating scoring chances over the final 20 minutes but could not find the back of the net this afternoon.

Fairfield created six shots over the final 20 minutes of regulation, beginning with a shot from Raz Amir in the 71^st minute. Just four minutes later, Alex Marin found himself inside the box with open space and took an initial shot that was blocked but came back to Amir who followed with another attempt toward goal but saw the ball deflected before it reached goal.

With 10 minutes remaining, Fairfield continued to apply pressure in the offensive third with Joseph Stocchetti sending a shot toward goal but it sailed wide of the target to keep the Stags off the scoreboard. Sam Danner followed with his own shot that required Rider goalkeeper Adam Salama to make a save at the 81:36 mark.

Salama was tested throughout the 90 minutes as Fairfield registered 12 shots with half of those requiring a save from the goalkeeper. Goalkeeper Victor Nikolov earned the start for the Stags and faced 19 shots while also making six saves.

Rider scored the game's first goal just 12 minutes into the game when Martin Chiadek brought the ball into Fairfield's defensive third and sent a ball over to Ethan Shaw who finished the scoring chance with a shot into the upper right corner to make it a 1-0 lead.

The Broncs followed up three minutes into the second half with a quick strike that started with Salama. The goalkeeper sent the ball to Babacar Diene who was able to find Saad Chaouki free near goal. Chaouki completed the opportunity by placing the ball toward the lower left quadrant of the target which doubled the home team's advantage a 2-0.

The Fairfield University men's soccer team will have a week off before returning to the pitch. The Stags will host another Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) match on Saturday, September 30 when Niagara University comes to Lessing Field for the program's lone afternoon home game in 2023. The game is slated for a 2 pm start.