Peter Caty/The Mirror

Peter Caty/The Mirror

Coming off a tough stretch of games to open the season, a 3-1 win over Stony Brook and a 2-0 win over Holy Cross improved the women’s soccer team to 5-3 overall.

“Considering we played three games in a short period of time, I thought we played extremely well,” said head coach Jim O’Brien after the win against Stony Brook. “We concentrated on buckling down defensively and we did a good job. The goal was my fault, I subbed on a corner kick, which I shouldn’t have done. I’ll take responsibility for that.”

The defense played well against Holy Cross as well, giving sophomore goalie Kelly Boudreau her second shutout of the season. Fellow sophomore Alyssa Decker scored her first game-winner in the game. Decker started last season as a freshman defender alongside her sister Robyn and Caroline Downey. Both graduated last spring and Decker has adjusted to her new line mates.

“It was hard to adjust,” said Decker. “But we’ve been working very hard together. Everyone’s been working their butts off. Even the subs that come in at the end; I give all the credit to the subs, they’re just as good and help us a lot.”

After allowing 13 goals in their first four games, the Stags have allowed only two in their past four.  Sophomore Jasmin Corniel also scored in the win over Holy Cross and netted two more on Sunday against Stony Brook, earning her the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Award.

Four straight wins have the Stags rolling. But the team should get even stronger with the return of senior forward Casey Frobey, sophomore Spencer Allaway and freshman Lauren Reilly, all of whom should return to the pitch in time for Friday’s game. Fairfield has won two games in a row without them, but their return should only strengthen the team.

Both O’Brien and Decker are confident that their team is ready for the MAAC competition.

Fairfield opens its MAAC conference play on Friday as the Stags face off against Iona at 7 p.m. on Lessing Field.

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