The women’s soccer team (3-5-2 overall, 2-0 MAAC) was impressive this weekend by winning their first two league games decisively.
Lindsey Pulito ’04 has been “on fire,” head coach Maria Piechocki said. Pulito scored three goals, added two assists and was named the MAAC Player of the Week.
Coming into Friday’s contest against Canisius, the team was on a seven game winless streak. The Stags took out their frustrations on an overmatched Golden Griffs squad by dominating a 3-0 contest.
At 33:48, Pulito got the scoring started when she headed in a corner kick from Danielle Della Corna ’04. Despite out-shooting Canisius 17-1 and dominating the time of possession, Fairfield only had a one goal lead at the half.
“I was really happy with how we were playing, but frustrated that not as many balls were finding the back of the net,” Piechocki said.
In the second half, Fairfield extended its lead when Amy Milhomme blasted a shot from the 18 yard line past the outstretched arms of the Golden Griff goal keeper to give the Stags a 2-0 lead.
With four minutes to go, Jennifer Gavin put the game out of reach. She took a pass from Meghan King and fired the ball into the back of the Golden Griff net. The Stags dominated throughout, taking 31 shots compared to six for Canisius. Freshman Katie Ely was strong, making five stops to earn the shutout.
With its confidence high, Fairfield pummeled the Niagara Purple Eagles 5-1 on Sunday.
King got the scoring started by knocking home a nifty chip pass from Molly McGuire. A little later, Milhomme scored off of a corner kick by Della Corna. The Stags took a comfortable two-goal lead into halftime.
“Film sessions from the game against Canisius really helped us to take advantage of our opportunities against Niagara,” Piechocki said.
Pulito took over in the second half. At 58:16, she set up Gavin who scored her second goal of the weekend.
Then, Pulito was tripped in the box and netted the resulting penalty shot.
Niagara eventually got on the board with apenalty shot of their own one minute later. Pulito took the wind out of their sails again by scoring her second goal of the game with an assist from McGuire.
Ely and the defense were again very good. Pulito was the story however. She leads the MAAC in points and goals, with five goals and three assists in only ten games.
“She’s defenders’ worst nightmare,” Piechocki said. Pulito, who started the year at midfield, was moved up recently to add offense for the Stags.
“She’s proven to be dangerous up top. If the other team chooses to double cover her that leaves one of our other players open and she’s been able to find them,” Piechocki explained.
Not only has she scored often, she’s been clutch with two game winners. The preseason All-MAAC selection has proven to be worth the hype.
Up next, the team looks to improve on their perfect league record by traveling to Siena on Friday and Marist on Sunday.
Fairfield plays its third straight away game against Iona on Friday Oct. 18 before returning home to face Yale on Tuesday Oct. 22.
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