NEW YORK, N.Y. – William Pierce scored three goals to propel the Fairfield University men's soccer team to a 3-1 win over Columbia University on Wednesday night. The decision was also the first career victory for Head Coach Krystian Witkowski.

Pierce became the first Stag to score three goals in a game since Jonathan Filipe accomplished the task in a 4-1 win against Canisius University on October 30, 2021. The junior currently leads the team in goals with four and total points with nine through his seven appearances.

"I am incredibly proud of the boys for grinding out a result," Coach Witkowski said. "It was one that they earned because they performed well both individually and collectively. This was one that they deserved all season and we finally put together a collective effort for 90 minutes. I couldn't be more excited for the guys."

Pierce put things in order for the Stags midway through the first half when he placed a header just inside the right post to give Fairfield an early 1-0 lead in the 31^st minute. The scoring chance was set up off passes from Stephen Perno and Devin Zachry, eventually sending the ball Pierce's way.

Fairfield's lead was short lived however when the Lions were awarded a penalty kick just eight minutes later when a Columbia player was tripped up on the right side of the box. Sophomore Jack McDaid finished the penalty kick for his career goal, tying the goal in the 39^th minute.

The Stags would receive their own penalty kick in the final minute of the first half after Kris Naicker was pushed from behind on the left side of the box, setting up Pierce's second goal. The midfielder calmly stepped to the spot and sent the ball to the lower left corner to send Fairfield into the locker room with a 2-1 lead.

Early in the second half, Zachry manufactured the Stags' final scoring chance when he controlled a ball inside the box and sent a shot toward goal. The goalkeeper managed to keep the ball in play but the rebounded landed on the feet Pierce, who quickly one-timed the ball past the keeper to push Fairfield's lead to 3-1 in the 52^nd minute.

Goalkeeper Kyle Briere received his first start for the Stags and made two saves in 77 minutes before yielding to Viktor Nikolov who was not forced to make a save during his 13-minute stint. The duo faced 11 shots during the match but only three were on target. Fairfield put four shots on goal over the 90 minutes with Pierce being responsible for three and Zachry gaining the remaining one.

The Fairfield University men's soccer team will finish up its four-match road trip on Tuesday, September 24 when its heads to UConn for a 7 pm match. The Stags return to Lessing Field for the first time in more than two weeks when they host Marist College in their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener on September 28 at 7 pm.