FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team will travel for their first road match of the 2024 season when they make the trip to New Britian, Conn., for a Sunday night match against the reigning NEC Champions Central Connecticut State with a 7pm kickoff. The Stags, coming off a comeback win in their season opener, will be making their first trip to the Blue Devils since 2014.
The Stags relied on a veteran and a rookie during their season opening win as MAAC Preseason Player of the Year
Maddy Theriault tallied her 19
th career goal while also dishing out an assist to give her exactly 50 career points. Fairfield freshman
Ashlyn Walsh provided the game-winner as she chased down a perfectly placed ball by Theriault and converted her chance past the keeper. Both scores came in the second half as Fairfield was able to erase a 1-0 first half deficit.
After out-shooting their opponents 17 times in 20 matches last season, the Stags started where they left off by out-shooting Holy Cross 13-8 while having an 8-4 advantage with shots on goal.
Aside from the offense, the Stags also found success on the defensive side of the ball by holding Holy Cross scoreless for the final 83 minutes of the match.
Sam Erickson highlighted to effort with a perfectly timed tackle in the box to thwart a scoring chance for the Crusaders in the first half.
Junior goalkeeper
Katie Wright recorded her 25th career win to put her sixth all-time for the Stags. She made three saves in net to put her career number to 122.
The Blue Devils were chosen as the preseason favorite in the NEC after winning the conference title last season, their 13th in program history. This will be the season and home opener for Central Connecticut, a team who returns four of their top-five scorers from last season, but did graduate the NEC Offensive Player of the Year Giavanna Inzerillo.
The Stags will stay on the road when they travel to Texas A&M, to take on the Aggies a team that is ranked in the top-25 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason rankings. The match is schedule for Saturday night at 8pm EST.
