The Fairfield University men’s soccer team (1-3-2) hit the road for a three-game road trip starting in-state at Yale University (4-0-2) in New Haven, CT. The Bulldogs edged the Stags 1-0, upholding their undefeated record, but the men in red and white put on a commendable performance.
The first half was scoreless while the teams amassed a total of five shots, none of which yielded any results. The second 45 minute stretch is where excitement picked up. Yale tested Fairfield’s security, out-shooting them 11-4. The pressure was too much for Fairfield’s defense. The Stags’ goalkeeper Gordon Botterill ‘21 faced six shots on goal and made five saves but let one past him just over three minutes after the start of the second half.
Sophomore Jonathan Filipe was relentless in his offensive efforts to get Fairfield on the board. The forward also was one of three players who managed to take a shot on Yale’s goal, along with Kheireddine Kourdassi ‘22 and Cooper Knecht ‘22.
Fairfield was left short-handed at 74 minutes and 28 seconds when Matt McGlinchey ‘21 drew two yellow cards in a ten minute stretch. They were tasked with making up the single goal deficit while also fending off Yale’s pressure, down a man. The tension was too much for the Stags and they couldn’t find a way to push past the disadvantage.
Next they hit the field in Hartford, CT on Saturday, September 21 against the Hartford University Hawks (4-2-0).
The Hawks swept Fairfield 2-0, netting an even one goal in each half. Fairfield outshot Hartford 13-7 but Hartford’s Jimmy Slayton fiercely protected his net, making five saves. Yet again, Filipe was electric on the field. He owned six shots and a shot on goal and fellow sophomore Santiago Gonzales’ registered two shots on goal but their efforts were not enough to push past Hartford’s precision and strength. The weekend was disappointing for the Stags, but they have one final shot at redemption before returning home to Lessing Field to take on Rider University.
They will face the United States Military Academy (2-2-1) in West Point, NY on Tues., September 24. The game is slated for 7 PM.
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