The Men’s Soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss as they fell 2-1 in overtime to Hartwick College on Sept. 25. Despite the starting lineup featuring five freshmen and only one senior, the Stags were able to stay in the game against a team in Hartwick that has made the national tournament in the past two years.

The first half was back and forth with both teams possessing the ball fairly well, but struggling to find shots. However, Fairfield was able to break through the Hartwick defense in the 64th minute, as Steven Valente ‘18 crossed the ball in from the left flank and forward Didirk Angell ‘20 was able to finish with his right foot, scoring on Fairfield’s first shot on goal to give them the early 1-0 lead.

Freshman Didirk Angell celebrates after scoring the game's first goal. Alfredo Torres/The Mirror

Freshman Didirk Angell celebrates after scoring the game’s first goal. Alfredo Torres/The Mirror

Hartwick answered quickly, as midfielder Jack Donaldson scored in the 72nd minute on a free kick from 20 yards out that deflected off of the wall into the top left corner of the net. The game remained even through to the end of regulation, but in the first overtime period Hartwick forward Mike Rood collected a rebound and finessed the ball into the top right corner of the net in the 97th minute, securing the victory for Hartwick.

After the game, head coach Carl Rees was impressed by the resiliency his team showed. He said, “We had a team in us that we played six or seven freshmen, and I think at the end of the day, it was a good game, a good contest, really back and forth. I’m proud of our guys for the effort that they put in, after missing two captains and another central defender. We were good enough to win the game, but we just didn’t get the breaks in front of goal.”

The Stags will look to build upon their success during the season as they travel out to Loudonville, N.Y. to take on Siena College in Thursday’s contest, the team’s first conference game.

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