The Fairfield Stags soccer team hit the field with high energy as the red clad “Stags in the Stands” screamed in support.
In front of a large crowd, the Stags played an overtime thriller against the University of Hartford Hawks. After 110 minutes of fierce, back and forth play, the game ended in a 1-1 tie. The Stags’ record moved to 3-3-1.
Senior captain Mike Troy said after the game, “We outplayed them for 110 minutes, but we just missed on our scoring opportunities.”
Fairfield came out firing, taking control early. Troy set up fellow senior Alex Cunliffe, who barely missed a shot, putting it just over the net. Just one minute later in the third minute of the game, Cunliffe barely missed a second shot. The Hartford Hawks were forced to play in a tight defensive formation, to stop the onslaught of the Stags. After 10 minutes of even play, the Stags broke free again. This time junior Sam Bailey had the opportunity, but a diving stop by Hartford goalie Matt Glaeser deflected the ball just wide of the net.
The Stags quickly returned to the offensive and Paul McQuade, a freshman from Fife, Scotland, sprinted on a break away, but a questionable off sides call stopped the attack. One minute later, the Stags came right back at the Hawks as McQuade tried to set up Bailey, but Bailey’s shot went just over the net.
With 17 minutes left in the half, Troy had a chance at the goal but put the ball off the post. Bailey had another chance a few minutes later, but again the Stags were unable to put the ball in the net.
The Stags returned to the attack in the second half, and with 37 minutes left in the half Cunliffe put the ball on the net. But a good save by Hartford’s goalie, Glaeser, stopped the scoring chance. Three minutes later Cunliffe broke towards the center of the net and slid the ball past a diving Glaeser to put the Stags on top, 1-0. Cunliffe, who was named MAAC Offensive Player of the Week last week, scored a team high four goals this season. Troy and Bailey helped set up the goal.
“Mike Troy and I have played together for a while now and we’ve developed a nice partnership.” Cunliffe said. “I told him to draw the defender to the post, Sam Bailey passed me the ball and I was able to get an open shot and slide the ball in.”
At the start of the second half, Fairfield dropped back into a defensive formation, controlling the ball and trying to take time off the clock. At the 73rd minute mark, Hartford got back on the attack and Gary Muir was able to sneak the ball past Fairfield goalie Jon Paul Francini ’08.
The Stags and Hawks both attempted to take back the lead but neither side was able to. With three minutes and 50 seconds left in the half, Bailey got the ball into the box but was taken down by a Hartford Defender. No foul was called on the play.
With two minutes left in the second half, the game became heated. Bailey knocked the ball loose from the goalie’s hands and was then shoved and grabbed around the neck by the goalie. The referee called a foul on Fairfield and gave the ball back to Hartford. Fairfield was able to regain control of the ball soon after and drove back with the clock winding down. Steve Desmond ’08 had a chance to put the ball in on a header but missed barely, and the half ended with a scoreless tie.
With 50 seconds left Tom Clements ’09 missed the net. The Stags again had a shot with three seconds left, but Cunliffe was unable to complete the play.
“It was unfortunate that we missed the chances that we had.” said Cunliffe. “However, it is a good sign that we had those opportunities and we should be able to connect on them more as the season goes on.”
The game went into overtime, but neither side was able to put the ball in during the two, 10 minute golden goal periods. The game ended in the 1-1 tie after Fairfield was unable to convert a free kick from just outside the box after freshman David Piedrahita was taken down. The Stags had one final shot to score on a corner kick but were unsuccessful. The ball was sent out of bounds by Hartford and the clock winded down to zero, ending the game.
“We played very well,” Coach Carl Rees said. “I think that even Hartford would agree that we were the better side. We missed some opportunities, but the offensive side is always the more difficult one and it was good that we were creating chances.”
Rees added, “We had many one on one opportunities. I was pleased with how the team played. I wish we had been able to send the fans home happy, with the large turnout, but this game showed that we have a great season ahead of us.”
Cunliffe agreed with his coach: “This game proved that we have a lot of offensive ability, which is a good sign for the rest of the season. I was happy to see the amount of fans at the game; it was a big help for us to hear the cheering. I want to thank them all for coming out and hope to see them at Tuesday’s game.”
The Stags play Dartmouth, on Tuesday, Sept. 26th at Lessing Field in Fairfield at 7:00 p.m.
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