Almost a year has passed since an opposing team has scored a goal against Fairfield at Lessing Field. The Stags have not lost at home since Oct. 20 of last year, when Loyola came in and upset them, knocking Fairfield from its No. 15 ranking.
The Stags (6-2-2, 1-0-1 MAAC) have shut down every team that has made the trip to Fairfield since then, including two shutout victories in the MAAC Tournament over Loyola and Siena, and boast a 6-0-2 record at home since that loss. Both ties came this season, against Hartwick and St. Peter’s, but the Stags were also held without a goal.
This weekend Fairfield kicked off its MAAC season with two home games against Manhattan and St. Peter’s. Against Manhattan on Friday the Stags picked up a 3-0 victory, while they tied St. Peter’s 0-0 on Sunday.
“I am very proud with our play over the weekend,” Head Coach Carl Rees said. “They played just once [St. Peter’s] and we played two [games] without four starters. That called on our character as a team and the lads delivered with a win Friday and a tie against a 7-2 team today.”
Fairfield was without its starting forward, Todd Rutledge ’11 and goalkeeper J.P. Francini ’08 for the entire game. Francini was replaced with sophomore Matt Cleveland, who made the first start of his career. Midfielder David Piedrahita ’10 tried to play, but left the game mid-way through the first half.
Cleveland, who has played in three games so far this season and has not allowed a goal, stepped up when called upon and recorded six saves against St. Peter’s to earn his first shutout.
Against Manhattan, Cleveland entered the game in relief of Francini, after the Stags starter injured his right hand in a collision, and had five saves in the second half to earn his first career victory.
“Matt provided us with a strong effort this weekend. He has a good goalkeeping resume,” Rees said. “He showed patience today, which allowed him to put together a solid game. He kicked well and distributed well, and gave us a lift defensively today.”
Fairfield continued its offensive struggles in its first half against Manhattan, entering the game with no goals scored in its past two games. The Stags did not record a shot in the first half, while Manhattan unleashed three shots, with Francini coming up with one save.
The Stags exploded offensively in the second half, with seven shots and three goals to pick up the victory.
The first goal came nine minutes into the half, when Tom Clements ’09 broke down the left sideline into the corner and then sent a cross into the box, finding the foot of the Stags captain, Sam Bailey ’08, who delivered a shot to the lower right corner, beating Manhattan goalkeeper John Ciano.
Fairfield’s second goal came just three minutes later, when Bailey sent a cross into the box and Christian Uy ’10 redirected the ball into the net. Uy scored the Stags final goal of the game and his third of the year in the 72nd minute of the game when he pressured the goalkeeper and stole the ball from him, putting into the empty net.
Bailey’s goal was his fifth of the year and the three points in the game gives him 13 points, leading the team in both categories. It was also Bailey’s fourth game-winning goal of the season, with Uy and Piedrahita picking up the other two game-winners. He is tied for third place in the MAAC in both points and goals as well.
The points also moved him farther up the career scoring lists at Fairfield. He now has 15 asissts, third most in University history, 21 goals and 57 points, both second most in University history. Bailey passed Barry O’Driscoll ’99 for second on the points list this weekend.
The Stags game against St. Peter’s was an important match-up for them as the Peacocks were picked to finish third in the MAAC.
Fairfield was banged up after a physical match-up against Manhattan, while St. Peter’s did not play a game on Friday. Without Francini, the All-MAAC Preseason Team goalkeeper, the Stags had to rely more on their solid back four of Clements, Tom Skara ’08, Pat Kelly ’08 and Jack Cleverly ’11.
The defense came up big against the MAAC’s second best offensive team, who score 1.40 goals per game, shutting them down for two halves and two 10-minute overtime periods.
Both teams nearly scored in the overtime periods. Uy took a long pass from Tucker Nathans ’11 and gained a one-on-one opportunity with St. Peter’s goalkeeper, but put the pass just to the side of the net two minutes into the first overtime.
In the second overtime the Stags nearly gave up a goal with two minutes left, as Juan Gaviria broke through the defense and drew Cleveland from the net. He shot past Cleveland, but the ball hit the post and bounced just wide of the net.
“The team came together brilliantly, the back four was solid as always, the midfield played better than they have most of the time this season and everyone worked hard,” said Bailey. “We were definitely the team more likely to score a goal.”
Fairfield is now second in the MAAC in goals allowed with just eight, a 0.77 goals against average, on the season, second to Loyola who has allowed just seven. Five of those eight goals allowed came against Harvard. The Stags lead the MAAC with seven shutouts on the year.
“Our progress so far is typical of our past seasons. We have a solid foundation, solid defense,” said Rees. “The building blocks are there, we could use more quality in attacking, but it is good that we are looking at the little things.”
The Stags return to action on Friday in Baltimore against Loyola in one of the biggest games of the year. The Greyhounds were picked to finish second in the MAAC and are 9-2 this season, with two MAAC wins.
They are ranked first in the North Atlantic region, just ahead of the Stags. Fairfield will also play Rider this weekend in New Jersey on Sunday.
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