WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a 4-0 setback against Monmouth University on the road.

The Stags controlled flow through the first 20 minutes and created several opportunities, placing pressure on the Monmouth back line. Kris Naicker was up front for the first two chances, the first coming off a full sprint down the left flank before cutting back toward goal. He released a shot that forced Hawks goalkeeper Eryk Dymora to make a play to the lower corner of the net.

Naicker worked magic a few minutes later with a run down the spine which eventually led to the Stags first corner kick of the night. Perhaps the best opportunity came off a later corner kick which reached center box before it was headed away. William Pierce cleaned up the clear attempt and put a shot that was headed just under the crossbar before it was turned away by the goalkeeper.

Monmouth began to find its footing later in the half and put together five solid minutes that was really the team's first pressure of the evening. The Hawks secured the lead in the 33^rd minute when freshman Jasen Bottini finished a cross to the far post with a sliding shot that he tucked inside the post. Two minutes later, Bottini received the ball at the top left corner of the box and juked his way into open space before finishing his play to the far corner.

"It felt like the game was in control for those opening minutes but you have to credit Monmouth for penetrating the lines and getting a goal," Head Coach Krystian Witkowski said.

In the second half, Fairfield continued to move the ball but was unable to find a solution to Monmouth's defensive effort. The Stags tested the goalkeeper a few more times in the half, including a cross to the center of the box in the closing minutes that nearly resulted in the team's first goal.

Monmouth added two more goals on counters in similar fashion as the first half, posting both in a span of five minutes The team's third goal came in the 55^th minute off a shot from inside the box. Kevin Zapata, who assisted on the third goal, finished off the scoring with a goal in the 60^th minute.

Fairfield finished the game with five shots, three in the first half and two more in the second half. Monmouth ended the contest with 13 shots as the Stags yielded just three shots over the final 45 minutes.

"I felt the result was not indictive of what the performance was," Coach Witkowski said. "There were a couple of decisive moments that resulted in goals for Monmouth but we also have some things to work on as well. But, the level of fight and competition from the boys was what I was really proud of. There were a lot of positives tonight especially the fact that they kept playing through the last minute."

The Stags will return to the pitch on Monday night with their second road game in as many games, facing FDU for a 7 pm match.