FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University men's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to four games with its 2-1 win over the University of New Haven at Lessing Field Saturday night. The Stags own a 2-0-2 mark since nearly upsetting nationally-ranked Marshall University in the season opener.
"This was a great collective effort tonight," Head Coach
Krystian Witkowski said. "It's always difficult to play these local matches so I am excited to get a win heading into conference play. Credit New Haven who made us work hard to get these points."
Fairfield in the opening two minutes of the game and waited another 73 minutes before finding their second goal. And for the fifth time in as many games, freshman
Cristiano Carlos scored a point with tonight's points coming off the game-winning goal. The freshman now has two game winners out of his four goals.
Although Carlos did not get any statistically on the team's first goal, the opportunity came as a result of his ingenuity. The forward brought the ball into the box after beating his first defender before he was pulled down from the side, setting up a penalty kick.
Cameron Gerber stepped to the spot and converted the team's first penalty kick chance of the year, pushing the Stags in front just two minutes into the contest. The goal spurred momentum that seemed to create chances with an aggressive attack that kept New Haven in a defensive posture.
As the half progressed, the Chargers also had several scoring chances of their own, setting up several shots that required the attention of Fairfield goalkeeper
Evan Chomow. The sophomore goalkeeper faced nine shots during the opening 45 minutes but cleanly handled the five shots that were on target. By the end of the half, New Haven held a slight advantage in shots, edging the home team by a 9-6 count.
The start of the second half featured another quick strike but this time it was New Haven that was able to change the numbers on the scoreboard. Andres Lazo tallied the equalizer after coming in off the bench just 90 second earlier, finding the far corner of the goal with a low shot which he tucked inside the post.
Fairfield was able to break the tie in the 75
th minute when it put together a pair of shots just seconds apart that resulted in the winner.
Sean Albritton opened the flurry with a shot that was blocked but landed in front of Marques Nana-Sinkham. He was play forward set up Carlos, who tallied the deciding goal from six yards away.
New Haven was able to produce two more scoring chances later in the half, putting a pair of shots on the mark in the 85
th and 88
th minutes. Chomow was equal to the task and put both chances away from danger.
Fairfield will have a week before opening up Metro Conference play by hosting Siena University on Saturday, September 19. Game time is 6 pm.
