Sometimes in life, something happens that puts everything else in perspective.
For the men’s soccer team that something came on Saturday.
On Saturday afternoon, the men’s soccer team was completing a 1-0 victory over inter-state rival Yale in New Haven.
Less than 24 hours later, sophomore back Jack Cleverley, who had started in the game early that day, was struck by a drunk driver on Fairfield Beach Road (see story on p. 1).
Head Coach Carl Rees and the team did not wish to comment on the matter.
While Cleverley, a two-year starter, remains in the hospital suffering from multiple injuries, the team must continue to play on.
The Stags win over Yale (3-3-1) evened their record to 3-3 as they head into MAAC play against Iona on Friday in New Rochelle, N.Y. at 3 p.m.
Jack Burridge ’12 returned from injury to tally his first goal of his Fairfield career to lead the Stags to victory over Yale.
Burridge missed the Stags game against Northeastern on Sept. 8, but has been a starting forward in all five of the team’s other games this year, taking six shots on goal.
The Stags defense came up strong for Rees, with goalkeeper Justin Burse recording four saves for his second shutout of the season.
‘We had a very good performance, maybe one of our best of the season,’ said Rees. ‘I thought we deserved to win. As I expected, Yale was well organized and had some special players. I was very pleased with the effort and for the guys that they won an important game based on their hard work and training.’
Senior back Tom Clements recorded his second assist of the season, placing a long ball into the box that Burridge deflected into the net in the 36th minute of the first half.
Clements also has scored twice this season, giving him the team lead in points with six.
While also providing offense, Clements, a native of Suffolk, England, has been a calming leader on defense.
‘He has been tremendous. He is versatile, he can play centrally, as a left back or right back,’ said Rees. ‘The game means a great deal to Tom and he recgocnizes what a great opportunity it is for him to be here at Fairfield. He wants a career in the game as a player and a coach and he is going about it the right way.’
The Stags game against Iona will be an important early test in conference.
‘They are 6-2 and upgraded their program recently. It’s a local rivalry,’ said Rees. ‘It will be a battle.’
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