FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Three teams have come to Lessing Field this season, and three teams have left without scoring a goal. This time, the Stags could not muster a goal either, resulting in a 0-0 tie against Hartwick College. In 290 minutes of action, the opposition has not score a goal against the Fairfield defense.

"The defensive play is really a combined effort from the back four to the middle five along with JP (Francini)," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "You have to give Hartwick credit for coming in and making it difficult for us."

The Hawks outshot the Stags by a 13-6 count, including a 6-2 edge in the second half. But the Fairfield defense stepped up time after time and made solid plays to keep the game scoreless. The four backs blocked five shots during the course of the game, taking some pressure off goalkeeper Francini.

But when the situation called for it, Francini stood tall and made the play. The senior finished the game with six saves, four of which came in the second half. Jon Paul Boyle almost broke the deadlock for the visitors when he collected a cross from Liam Parrington. Boyle dribbled quickly and unleashed a shot toward the lower corner of the goal. Francini went down and secured the shot to keep the game scoreless with 20 minutes remaining in regulation.

Matthew Uy had Fairfield's best chance in the second half when Sam Bailey sent the ball into the box, giving Uy some move to move toward goal. Uy let a shot go from 10 yards but the ball sailed just over the cross bar.

Neither team managed a shot in the two overtime periods, as both teams produced a defensive posture that did not allow much penetration by any offensive attack.

The Stags return to action on September 29 when they played 11th-ranked Harvard University in Cambridge. Game time is slated for 1 pm.