Box Score

RIVERDALE, N.Y. -- Reco McLaren scored a pair of second-half goals to lift the Fairfield University men's soccer team to a 3-0 win over Manhattan College Sunday afternoon. The result was the Stags' first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) win of the season.

The two teams battled each other to a scoreless draw in the first half as the Jaspers held a slight 10-7 advantage in shots through the first 45 minutes. The Jaspers put four of their shots on goal, but each one was handled by Fairfield goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe. The Stags put two shots on goal, the first coming just 22 seconds into the game, but Manhattan goalie George Ellis made both stops.

The second half started quickly for the visitors as they scored the game's first goal three minutes into the half. Jordan Ayris started the scoring play by controlling the ball on the right side of the box before sending a pass to McLaren who found space close to the goal. The junior struck the ball toward the left corner of the Manhattan goal, beating Ellis low for a 1-0 lead.

About 10 minutes later, McLaren made it 2-0 by converting a pass from Adam Cowen at 57:42. Cowen headed the ball toward the middle of the goal where McLaren redirected the cross with his head from three yards away, making it a 2-0 lead. Eight minutes later, Jon Clements closed the scoring with a goal at 65:07 on a play which started with McLaren. The forward sent the ball toward the center of the box where George Newton flicked a second pass to the feet of Clements, who finished the opportunity from eight yards.

O'Keeffe finished the game with four saves to register his fifth shutout of the season. Ellis ended the contest with three saves.

Fairfield will return home for a pair of MAAC games next weekend, hosting Rider on October 19 at 7 pm before Loyola comes to Lessing Field on October 21 at 1 pm.