FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the third time in as many games, the Fairfield University men's soccer faced a team in the top five of the Metro Conference standings. And for the third time, the Stags came away with a win.
Tonight, Fairfield posted the match's lone goal in the second half to remain unbeaten in Metro play with a 1-0 decision over Marist University. Head Coach Krysten Witkowski's squad improved to 6-0 in conference play, extended its winning streak to seven games, and its unbeaten streak to 10 matches (8-0-2).
"Marist is an incredibly dangerous team that is very well coached," Coach Witkowski said. "This was just a gritty performance. We were missing a few bodies tonight so I love how everybody is stepping up. This is such a tight group and they fight for each other every day."
The Stags controlled play from the onset, creating more opportunities through the opening minutes of the half. Through the first five minutes of the game, the Stags put pressure on goalkeeper Alex Murania, taking three shots in that time span with two of those tries forcing saves. The home team would go on to outshoot the visitors by a 10-2 margin in the first half with the two Marist shots coming in the seventh and 24
th minutes.
The second half played much like the first with the Stags keeping play on the Marist side of the pitch. Once again,
Sean Albritton and
Pipeloore Olanrewaju were the instigators, each making an attempt that once forced Murania to make a save.
The Stags produced the game's only goal on their final shot attempt of the game, a play which required some brilliance from Cristian Carlos and a quality finish from Olanrewaju. Carlos took control of the ball just past midfield and carried the ball into the right corner where he made a quick cut toward the box. He sent the ball through the center box where Olanrewaju accepted the ball and finished with a shot to the lower left corner.
Down a goal, Marist began to press forward with urgency which began to free their forwards in the offensive third. Each time a Red Fox looked as though he would create danger, the Stags' back line kept the visitors from finding the equalizer. Marist took four of its six second-half shots in the final 16 minutes.
Fairfield goalkeeper
Evan Chomow was required to make just one save in the match which came in the 65
th minute, just before his teammates were able to score a goal.
The Fairfield University men's soccer team will take to the road for its next match, a Saturday matinee at Iona University. The Stags and the Gaels will start their match at 12 pm.
