FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- After struggling offensively in the first half, the Stags put on an offensive showcase in the final 36 minutes of the game that lead to three goals and a 3-0 win over Manhattan College in the conference opener for both teams. Christian Uy tallied a pair of goals while Sam Bailey added a goal and an assist to the Stags cause.

The Stags did not get off a shot on goal in the first half, while the Jaspers created a few chances that were thwarted by senior goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini. Manhattan put three shots on the Fairfield goal, and forced Francini to make one save. The veteran gave way to Matt Cleveland in the second half, giving the sophomore a true test under fire.

Cleveland made a couple of save early to keep the game scoreless and gave his teammates a chance to win the game. Fairfield finally broke through in the 55th minute when Tom Clements took control of the ball at the top of the box. He sent a crisp pass to the feet of Sam Bailey in the center of the box. Bailey finished the play with a shot to the lower right corner which beat Manhattan keeper John Ciano.

A few minutes later, Bailey returned the favor by setting up the team's second goal. The senior secured the ball on the left touch line, broke toward goal a few yards off the end line. He sent a cross to the middle of the box, which Christian Uy redirected with a strong shot to the middle of the goal.

Christian Uy created his second goal by creating pressure on the Manhattan goalkeeper. Ciano tried to dribble the ball past Uy, but the midfielder nudged the ball away from the keeper, and pushed the ball into the empty net for a 3-0 lead.

The Jaspers had a few chances late in the game to break up the shutout, but once again Cleveland answered with aggressive play. The visitors best chance came in the 72nd minutes when Dan Cipriano lofted a ball from outside the box that curled toward the upper corner, but Cleveland just put his hand on the ball to deflect it off the crossbar.

Aldo Hope also had a chance at a goal when he released a shot off a scramble in front of the net that just caught the right post and deflected wide. Both teams scored a goal that was waved off due to an offsides call - Fairfield in the 69th minute and Manhattan in the 72nd minute.

The Stags return to action on Sunday when they host Saint Peter's College at 1 pm on Lessing Field. It's the first time that the Stags and the Peacocks meet since last year's MAAC tournament championship game.