With an electricity in the air normally reserved for the stadia of Europe, the Fairfield women’s soccer team defeated Navy 4-3 on Sunday in one of the most thrilling matches of the season. It was Fairfield’s second straight win, having defeated Iona in double-overtime last Thursday and the Stags are now 2-7-2 on the season. In addition to the wins, freshman midfielder Maureen Miller, who scored the game-winning goal against Iona and two goals against Navy, was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s soccer player of the week on Monday. She is the first Fairfield player to earn the honor this season. Against Iona, the Stags were forced into double overtime after having come back from a 1-0 deficit. After the Gaels took an early lead, Julieanne Forman capitalized on a Pam Cluff pass in the 49th minute to even the score. For the rest of the half and early in overtime, the goalkeepers proved the better of the forwards, until Miller broke away in the 107th minute and coolly slid the ball past the goalkeeper from twelve yards out. Anne Lyons, the Fairfield goalkeeper, had ten saves on the game, including several key stops in overtime. Fairfield returned home Sunday to host Navy, who entered the contest 3-6-0, but had beaten future Fairfield MAAC opponent Loyola the previous week. Fairfield enjoyed the better run of play early in the game, and was rewarded in the 13th minute with a goal.

After efficient midfield play from Lauren Bishar and Kyle McClintock, Gina Pantuosco crossed a ball which passed through the hands of the Navy goalkeeper and was easily headed into the goal by Maureen Miller. Navy responded later in the first half when Justine Fisher got behind the defense and scored in the 18th minute. After the first Navy goal, both teams lost their rhythm and the two sides entered halftime deadlocked at 1-1. The second half started well for the Stags when, in the 50th minute, Pantuosco crossed from the right and Caitlin Fleming headed the ball into the net. Navy responded again and Stag goalkeeper Dana Comuniello was forced to make several important saves in a flurry of activity inside the box. The Fairfield defense played strong until the 82nd minute, when Navy equalized on a Danielle La Salle goal. Tied at two, the Fairfield offense took over. Miller helped earn her player of the week award in the 84th minute with a brilliant run from the midfield, leaving many defenders in her tracks before slamming the ball into the corner of the net, making the score 3-2. Navy had one more trick up their sleeve, and Vanessa Solon rocketed a shot from 35 yards out that screamed into the top left corner. It seemed as if the Stags were headed for their fifth overtime game of the season when they received a free kick on the edge of the box with less than three minutes left. Pam Cluff nearly scored with the free kick, but her shot went off the bar and into the air. When the Navy defense failed to clear, freshman Sandy Michaels volleyed in the rebound past two defenders for the victory. The Stags face Manhattan tomorrow and St. Peter’s on Sunday. Both games are conference games, and both are home. Manhattan’s record is 2-4-1, but they are undefeated in MAAC play. St. Peter’s is 0-9-0, with an 0-3 record in the MAAC.