Sept. 3, 2006
ONEONTA, N.Y. -- A strong second half surge by the Fairfield University men's soccer team was not enough to turn the tide established with a pair of early goals by Hartwick College, as the Stags came up on the short end of a 2-0 loss in the championship game of the Hartwick tournament. The setback ended the Stags two-game win streak and evened up the team's record at 2-2 in four straight road games.
The home team scored just eight minutes into the game on a well-set scoring opportunity. Chris Jackson and Craig Potter created the chance with a couple of passes that resulted in an opening for John Paul Boyle, who finished the play with a well-placed shot past Fairfield goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini.
The goal stood up through the first half, giving Hartwick a one-goal advantage at intermission. The Stags began to find openings on the defensive side of the field, which allowed the team to apply pressure on the host school. The attack was briefly interrupted ten minutes into the second half when a Fairfield defender was whistled for a foul, giving Hartwick a free kick near the Stag goal.
Craig Potter took the free kick and found Chris Jackson through a small opening, allowing Jackson to boot the ball past Francini for a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute. Still, the Stags continued to attack despite the deficit and came up with several chance. Hartwick's goalkeeper Joe Gibson made two saves during the stretch to keep Fairfield off the scoreboard. The Stags held a 5-3 advantage in shots during the second half, as the Fairfield defense kept Hartwick in check for most of the final 45 minutes.
The Stags finish off their five-game road trip on September 9 when they travel to Adelphi University. Fairfield will play its home opener on September 20 when it hosts the University of Hartford at Lessing Field.
