With 45 seconds left in the game, Sam Bailey `08 scored the winning goal against the Marist Red Foxes in yet another thriller for the Fairfield Stags’ men’s soccer team. The final score was 1-0 as goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini `08 picked up his first shutout of the season, finishing with three saves.
The Stags extended their regular season unbeaten streak at Lessing Field to 13 games and are now 10-0-3 during that stretch. This special streak extends back to the final game of the 2004 season. The Stags are now 2-0 in MAAC play and have six points, which puts them in a first place tie with Niagra.
“The team played really well overall.” said Coach Carl Rees. “At the end of the day, we got the goal which really shows the heart these guys have. We controlled the game and got the three points that we needed.”
The game was a defensive contest for most of the first half. Fairfield had an opportunity to score with thirty-four minutes left in the half as Mike Troy `07 kicks a long pass across the field to Paul McQuade `10, who then slid the ball to a shooting Aldo Hope `09. Hope barely missed the shot.
Marist took over control of the ball by bringing it down into Fairfield’s zone creating scoring opportunities. On one drive, Marist was able to loft the ball high in the box but goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini ’08 leapt up and snagged the ball resulting in a collision with a Marist player. The referees called a foul on Marist and the threat against Fairfield was averted.
Fairfield was then able to keep the ball out of their zone for the final twenty minutes of the half, allowing no shots in that period. The one opportunity for Marist was stopped when Troy headed the ball out of danger.
The Stags got another chance to score with four minutes left in the first half when freshman Christian Uy sent a nice pass over to Alex Cunliffe `07. Cunliffe gave the ball to a sprinting David Piederahita ’10 who put the ball just wide of the corner of the net.
Fairfield had a second chance to score with little time in the first half on a shot by Mike Lentine `09, but the skilled Marist goalkeeper was able to save the ball from going into the net.
With only a minute left in the half, a scary moment occurred as Cunliffe went up to play a ball and ended up in a head to head collision with a Marist defender. The Marist player was given a yellow card and Cunliffe stayed on the ground for a few moments before rising to his feet. He was able to continue playing.
Fairfield nearly let in two goals on Marist shots with 25 and 21 minutes left in the second half. Both shots were saved by Francini including one impressive diving stop on what appeared to be a sure goal. Fairfield and Marist both played tight defense and neither team had many scoring chances in the second half.
With 50 seconds left in the game, a foul was called on a Marist player giving Fairfield a free kick. The kick was sent into the box as Bailey dove for it, resulting in a header that sent the ball into the back of the net giving Fairfield the winning goal.
“We stayed focused and we received are reward in the end,” said Troy. “We have been taking it one game at a time and winning in the MAAC is important for us. It was a great win for this team.”
“It’s always challenging, mentally and physically, when you have to play two games in one weekend,” said Coach Rees. “But the team showed its endeavor and heart and was able to win both games, picking up six big points for us in the MAAC.”
Fairfield returns to the field on Wedensday to start a two-game road trip against Yale in New Haven, Conn. and against Iona on Saturday in New Rochelle, New York for MAAC tournament action.
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