JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to Saint Peter's University on the road Saturday afternoon.
The Peacocks scored a pair of first-half goals on opposite ends of the period that the put the Stags in a position of playing from behind. Fairfield fell behind in the seventh minute when a penalty kick was awarded to Saint Peter's following a foul in the right part of the box. Harvey Ormerod stepped up to the spot and sent the ball into the upper right corner to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
Fairfield was able to manufacture a couple of scoring chances later in the half, perhaps the best coming in the 14
th minute.
Devin Zachry found himself open a few yards outside the box and lifted a shot that went over the goalkeeper's head but caught the cross bar before bouncing out of play
Saint Peter's created a few more opportunities in the 16
th minute on back-to-back moments as Tim Strele and Connall McErlain put shots on target but goalkeeper
Viktor Nikolov was able to push both shots away from danger. The Peacocks would put together another offensive flurry later in the half, putting four shots toward goal over a four-minute span, the last of which found the back of the net to send the team into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
The Stags tried to gain momentum early in the second half with
Brett Sieg and Zachry finding room enough to put shots toward goal, both of which drifted over the cross bar. Saint Peter's also had its chances in the second half but Nikolov was able to keep each in play as the junior finished the half with four more saves.
Both teams registered seven shots in the second half but Saint Peter's ended the match with an 18-11 advantage in that category. Nikolov made nine saves in the match, while his counterpart was required to make four stops.
The Fairfield University men's soccer team will return to the pitch with a pair of home games next week, beginning with a match against Sacred Heart University on Wednesday, October 30. Game time is 7 pm. The Stags complete their two-game home stand on Saturday, November 2 when they hosts Canisius University. Game time is slated for 2 pm.
