NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Fairfield University men's soccer capped its regular-season road schedule with a 2-1 win against Niagara University, securing the Metro Conference regular-season title.
The Stags secured the advantage early in the match when
Sean Albritton put Fairfield on the scoreboard just four minutes into the match. The sophomore found open space after breaking up a Niagara advance and pushing the ball forward. The forward was able to collect the ball and send his shot past the charging goalkeeper to put Fairfield in front by a goal.
Both teams were able to apply pressure throughout the first half with both teams eventually placing seven shots each in the first 45 minutes. Fairfield put together a flurry over a three-minute span that placed four shots on target that were all turned away by goalkeeper Grant Wyles.
Pipeloore Olanrewaju was responsible for two of the chances while Owen Dougherty created an opportunity as well.
Fairfield goalkeeper
Evan Chomow was forced into action not long after Albritton's goal as the sophomore made a diving stop to the left side to keep Niagara in check. He made his second save of the match in the 38
th minute when he corralled a ball destined for the lower right corner.
Niagara secured the first shot in the second half which required some attention from Chomow, a shot sent forward toward the upper right corner. But it was Fairfield who added to the scoreboard just four minutes later when
Jahmani Stapleton completed a scoring chance that was set up
Cristiano Carlos and
Marques Nana-Sinkam, pushing the score to 2-0.
The two-goal advantage would stay intact until late in the game when Niagara was able to finally push the ball past Chomow in the 82
nd minute. Reon Tezuka was responsible for the Purple Eagles goal, which was set up from a pass by Rood Apolon.
Once Niagara moved within a goal, Fairfield's back line tightened up and did not allow any further threat from the home team. Neither the Stags or Purple Eagles were able to muster another shot over the final eight-plus minutes of the game.
Niagara ended the match with a slight advantage in shots, edging Fairfield by a 16-13 count. Chomow picked up three saves while Wyles tallied six stops while in the lineup.
Fairfield will finish up the regular season with a home match against Sacred Heart University on Wednesday, November 4. The Stags and the Pioneers will meet at Lessing Field, beginning at 6 pm.
