FAIRFIELD, Conn. – In his first year at the helm of the Fairfield University men's soccer program, Head Coach Krystian Witkowski has put together a formidable schedule that will test the 2024 Stags beginning with the non-conference portion of the slate all the way through the challenge of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) docket.

The non-conference games include three programs that advanced to the 2023 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship and six teams that posted a winning record. All in all, Fairfield will play four squads that won 10 or more games – two during non-conference play and two in conference match ups.

"The DNA of our Fairfield Men's Soccer program embodies a commitment to excellence that aligns with our potential," Coach Witkowski said. "We aim to showcase our competitive excellence on the national stage against top programs. Our schedule includes programs from various conferences, diverse playing styles, and championship pedigree, preparing us well for a challenging MAAC schedule."

As an example, Fairfield will open the campaign against three teams that combined for a 25-15-17 record (.588 winning percentage) beginning with an season-opening road trip at Monmouth University on August 23 and at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) on August 25. To close out the three-game stretch, Lafayette will come to Lessing Field for the Stags' 2024 home opener, a 7 pm match on August 31.

Stonehill College will finish Fairfield's two-game home stand on September 4, setting up back-to-back games on the road against a pair of programs that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2023. Fairfield will travel to LIU on September 11, a team which captured the Northeast Conference title and posted a 10-6-3 overall record. Three days later, the Stags will travel to the University of Vermont for a 6 pm match against a team that won two games in the national tournament a season ago and finished with a 13-6-2 mark.

The Stags will end their four-game road trip with a game against Columbia University on September 18 and UConn on September 24. The Stags complete September with a home date against Marist College on September 28 which is also Fairfield's MAAC opener. The team will play its first MAAC road game at Iona University on October 5, a Gaels program that posted a 12-4 overall record a year ago.

Coach Witkowski put one more non-conference opponent on the schedule, namely Lehigh University on October 15 in Bethlehem, Pa. The team hosts defending MAAC champion Rider University on October 19 at Lessing Field before traveling to MAAC newcomer Merrimack College on October 23. After a quick excursion to Jersey City for a meeting with Saint Peter's University on October 26, Fairfield will welcome Sacred Heart University to campus on October 30, their first meeting as conference opponents.

Fairfield closes out its home schedule on November 2 for a 2 pm match up with Canisius University, the Stags' lone home afternoon date. The regular-season comes to a close on November 6 with a drive up the interstate to Quinnipiac University.

The 2024 MAAC Championship begins on November 10 with opening round games with the winners advancing to the conference semifinals on November 14. The MAAC title will be determined on November 17.