BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The Fairfield University men's soccer team dropped a 5-0 decision at the University of Vermont on Saturday night, the team's second date in a four-game road trip. After holding a slight 1-0 edge at halftime, the Catamounts found their way to three goals in the second half, all of which came in the final 17 minutes of play.

Fairfield started quickly by creating the first scoring chance of the evening when William Pierce worked his way into an open area and sent a shot toward goal that forced the goalkeeper to make a save. Vermont also managed to secure a couple of opportunities at the open of the match but the Stags were able to protect their defensive third for the opening 20 minutes without much danger.

It wasn't until the 21st minute when the Catamounts were able to break through with a goal by Niels Hartman. The home team would double its advantage with under three minutes remaining when Marcell Papp finished off a play that included assists from Maximilan Kissel and Sydney Wathuta.

The Stags secured one more shot in the half courtesy of Thomas Drillien but the grad student's attempt skipped wide left of the goal. Fairfield was outshot in the half by 10-2 count but goalkeeper Viktor Nikolov was called into action just twice to make a stop. 

In the second half, Vermont enjoyed the better of play early by setting up the first five shots of the period, three of which came from Wathuta's foot. Nikolov was called on to make just one save during that barrage, making a diving stop toward the left corner.

The Stags became more active offensively later in the half beginning with Kris Naicker's shot in the 68^th minute which began a run of five shots for Fairfield. Pierce was involved in three of those five attempts, the last of which required some effort from the goalkeeper.

Vermont countered Fairfield's offensive pressure by pushing forward later in the half which set up a stretch of three goals in 17-plus minutes, beginning with Ryan Zellefrow's goal at 72:57. Kissel completed his night with the final two goals of the game, scoring in the 84^th and 88^th minutes.

The Stags will return to the pitch on Wednesday, September 18 when they travel to Columbia University for the team's third straight road match and fifth overall this season. The team completes its four-game road swing at UConn on September 24. Both of those matches are slated for 7 pm.