TEANECK, N.J. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team nearly completed a miraculous comeback by scoring three goals in the final 18 minutes of the match before running out of time in a 4-3 setback against FDU on the road. Freshman Owen Drummond was at the heart of the Fairfield flurry, scoring the team's first goal and assisting on the third.

"I am incredibly proud of the fight, the resiliency, and the togetherness this team showed tonight," Head Coach Krystian Witkowski said. "This is what Fairfield is all about. We have some pieces to work on but if we come to every game with that level of fight and grit, we have a bright future ahead of us."

The Knights controlled play early in the game, accounting for the first nine shots of the evening. But the Stags defense was able to handle the pressure and keep the opposition off the scoreboard for most of the opening half. With the defense staying the course, the Stags' offense began to settle in with a pair of opportunities, the last of which came when William Pierce struck the ball from outside the box but saw the shot skip wide of the far post.

FDU came down the pitch a couple minutes later and posted the game's first goal when Kevin Leonard accepted a pass on the right side of the box and found enough space to send a shot to the far corner for a 1-0 lead. Just a few minutes later, the game was suspended due to weather conditions which ended up lasting for two hours.

When play resumed, Fairfield created another opportunity in the 42^nd minute as Devin Zachry was able to rise above the defense and put his head on a cross that was on target and required a save from the goalkeeper.

FDU regain momentum early in the second half and put together three consecutive goals over a 12-minute span that changed a one-goal advantage into a decisive four-goal lead. Leonard was responsible for the team's second goal in the 57^th minute while Matt Giraldo (64^th minute) and NK Tima (70^th minute) finished off the scoring for the home team.

Down late in the game, Fairfield began to find its way offensively shortly after the Tima goal. Thomas Drillien started things with a shot in the 72nd minute from center box that forced goalkeeper Spencer King to make a play. The Stags earned a corner kick off the King save which set up Drummond's goal in the 74^th minute, as the freshman collected a loose ball and sent the ball into the back of the net.

The lead was cut to two goals in the 84^th minute after nifty footwork by Daunte Tulloch. He fought for the ball in the right corner and gained control well enough to send a cross into the box. Mark Anastasio finished off the play with a shot to the near corner to bring the score to 4-2.

The match's final goal came in the 88^th minute when Drummond set up the scoring chance with a cross to Zachry, who finished the play with a shot into the far corner of the net.

"I am excited that some of our first years scored their first career goals," Witkowski said. "We had guys come into the game and make a real difference. The belief in this team never faded and we're going to keep believing as we move forward with our process."

 Fairfield finished the night with seven shots on goal, two more than FDU's game total. FDU held the advantage in total shots by a 17-9 count. Viktor Nikolov picked up one save in the Fairfield net while King made four stops for the Knights.

The Stags will open the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, August 31 when they host Lafayette College at Lessing Field. The match will begin at 7 pm.