WEST POINT, N.Y. – Opening on the road is never an easy task for an athletic team but the trip to Army West Point did not seem to matter to the 2025 Fairfield University men's soccer team. The Stags started the 2025 campaign with a 2-1 win over the home team, scoring a goal in each half to secure the win.

"I can't be more proud of this team after coming away with a result against a team and in a venue that is very difficult to play," Head Coach Krystian Witkowski said.

Fairfield was not very long into its season before it was able to manufacture the season's first goal. The team was awarded a free kick in the 11^th minute of play following a yellow card. Freshman Alex Vaz earned the nod on the set piece and answered with a perfectly placed shot that landed in the upper right corner of the goal.

The Stags continued to apply pressure in the offensive third with shots from William Pierce and Cameron Gerber keeping the Army back line on its heels. The Black Knights eventually alleviated pressure by finding ways to attack and spend some time on Fairfield's side of the pitch.

Army West Point managed five shots over an eight-minute span during the middle part of the half, one of which forced goalkeeper Evan Chomow to make a diving stop, but could not finish any of the opportunities. The home team did finally break through with a goal in the 32^nd minute, tying the game following a play from Jubril Bamgbala. After a shot was saved by Chomow, the rebounded landed on the foot of Bamgbala who one-timed a shot to the back of the net.

The two teams returned to the pitch after intermission but it was Fairfield that found its footing first. Just six minutes into the second half, freshman Sean Albritton ran down a loose ball at the top of the box and volleyed a shot that caught the upper right corner for the team's second goal of the match.

Both offenses were contained for most of the next 16 minutes with each side offering one attempt toward the target. The Stags put together a flurry later in the half that saw Cameron Gerber, Vaz, and Liam McElderry create some uneasiness for the Army backs. The Black Knights countered late in the game as the closing minutes forced more creativity. The team produced four shots over the final six minutes, two of which went over the cross bar and the others going wide to the side.

Chomow made two saves in his Fairfield debut, facing 14 shots over his 90 minutes of work. The Stags were right there with their shot total of 13 as Vaz (2), Albritton, and Gerber put shot on goal that forced Army West Point goalkeeper Blair Camargo into action.

"This was a gritty win even though we were not at our best with and without the ball at times," Witkowski said. "But I am pleased with the grit the boys displayed and with their fight which enabled us to get a win."

Fairfield returns to the pitch on Monday, August 25 when it hosts Monmouth University for its home opener. The match is slated for a 7 pm start at Lessing Field.