FAIRFIELD, Conn. – With the non-conference left behind it, the Fairfield University men's soccer team now concentrates on the final six Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) matches that make up the end of the regular-season schedule. That run of games starts on Saturday night when the Stags host Rider University for a 7 pm start at Lessing Field.

Conference play always seems to be more urgent especially with teams bidding for a position in the eight-team MAAC tournament. The winner of the conference tournament gains an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in mid-November. Moving forward, the Stags will play two conference games a week over the next three weeks

"We are playing two games a week now so guys need to be ready to step up when their name is called," Head Coach Krystian Witkowski said. "Everyone understands that they have a role in part to play. Conference play always brings a level of intensity and spirit and we are fully understanding of what that means."

Fairfield returned to the pitch last Tuesday and played Lehigh University to a 0-0 draw after the Stags did not play a game for 10 days. The chance to get back on the field before returning to conference play was an important factor especially as the team prepares for Rider.

"I was happy with the clean sheet against Lehigh," Coach Witkowski said. "There were some good moments on the attack in the first half. I felt like there was some rust we needed to shake off. We used lots of rotation of players and I was pleased that everyone came in and made an impact in some way. It was good to be able to sharpen up some of our game model. It was good to go into a difficult place to play, get a result, and continue the momentum. And, we are very happy to be home."

The shutout was the second in Fairfield's current five-game unbeaten streak, also having the same result against nationally-ranked UConn in September. Over the last five games, the Stags have allowed a total of three goals and have not allowed more than one in any of those five dates.

"The guys have always maintained their resilience and their belief so I credit them," Coach Witkowski said. "We have had some bodies that have come back so they have gotten some more game minutes since returning. I also think the guys understand their roles better and we as a staff have a better understanding of them."

Rider comes into the match with an 8-4-0 overall record and a 2-1-0 MAAC mark, winning its last two with decisions against Merrimack and Quinnipiac. The Broncs have scored 19 goals in their 12 games with 11 coming from the duo of Bryan Akongo and Momo Diop. Both student-athletes have 14 points to their credit with Akongo scoring five goals and four assists with Diop adding six goals and two assists.

The goalkeeping duties are handled by Adam Salama who has started 11 of the team's 12 games. He currently sports a 0.82 goals against average with a .775 save percentage off 31 saves.

Fairfield's offense has benefitted from the play of William Pierce, who remains one of the MAAC's top offensive players with five goals and one assist for 11 points. Pierce along with Akongo and Diop comprise three of the conference's top five goal scorers. Devin Zachry is also among the MAAC leaders for assists with five, tying him for third among all conference players.

Viktor Nikolov continues to push his goals against average lower with each match, checking into this match with a 2.28 goals against average with a .639 save percentage off 39 saves.