Aug. 18, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- After training for less than a week, the Fairfield University men's soccer team took the field against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) foe Boston College for a friendly at Lessing Field. The home team proved itself a worth adversary by battling the Eagles to the very end, before falling by a 1-0 score.
The two teams felt each other out for the opening 20 minutes, as each squad sent balls deep into the attack zone before the opposing defense squelched any offensive threat by clearing the ball. The Stags' first scoring chance came midway through the first half when Alex Cunliffe struck the ball on goal, but a good save by the BC goalkeeper kept the game scoreless.
The Stags best scoring opportunity came about 10 minutes later, thanks to an outstanding effort by junior Sam Bailey. The forward controlled the ball from 35 yards out and made a run down the center of the pitch. He made a sharp cut left at the top of the box and released a low shot that the Eagles goalkeeper deflected. However, the force of the shot kept the ball rolling toward the goal line, as Stags sophomore Aldo Hope made a run at the loose ball. The goalkeeper recovered and charged toward the ball and just got to it before it touched the goal line.
Boston College scored the game's only goal later in the half when a pass from the left side of the box went over the Fairfield defense to an open player, who one-timed the ball into the back of the net. Solid play from junior goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini kept the game at 1-0, as he made three diving saves in the latter part of the first half.
Again, Fairfield had several opportunities in the second half, including a chance by Steve Desmond. On the play, Boston College attempted to clear the ball from inside the box, but the ball rolled aimlessly about 25 yards away. Desmond stepped up from the midfield and hit the ball toward goal. The ball eluded the Boston College goalkeeper, but rose just above the cross bar to keep the game at 1-0.
"I thought we played well against a very good BC side," Head Carl Rees said. "I was particularly happy with our freshmen, especially the starters, who played a solid game. We executed what we worked on during the last week, especially defensively. I think we accomplished a lot of good things in today's game."
Fairfield will return to Lessing Field on Sunday, August 20 when its hosts the University of Bridgeport for a 3 pm scrimmage.
