Oct. 9, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- All good things must come to end, at least that's what the adage says. But there should be an amendment to that phrase that says it should not have to be heartbreaking. The Fairfield University men's soccer team saw its 13-game regular-season unbeaten streak come to a sudden halt when Harvard University's Michael Fucito ended the game with 43 seconds remaining in the second overtime for a 2-1 Crimson win.
The two teams played in a defensive posture to start the game, before both squads started to find opening late in the half. Paul McQuade had Fairfield's first true scoring chance, as he broke free on the left side of the box and released a shot to the low left corner which Harvard goalkeeper Adam Hahn deflected wide of the post.
Eight minute later, Mike Troy created an outstanding chance when he controlled a loose ball at the top of the box and used a quick spin move that gave him just enough room to send a shot at goal, which Hahn caught for a save.
After a scoreless first half, both teams started to use long through balls that had the defenses retreating, especially down the touch lines. But each defense rallied and kept any further danger by controlling the center of the pitch.
Finally, the Stags broke through in the 68th minute when Fairfield was awarded a free kick just outside the box. Alex Cunliffe curled a shot around the Harvard wall which Hahn knocked away. Troy rushed the goal after Cunliffe sent the shot on goal, and pushed the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
That goal stood until the 85th minute when the Crimson used a quick counter that provided a scoring opportunity. Andre Akpan sent a pass to the right side of the box to Kwaku Nyamekye, who dribbled past a defender and drove a low shot that caught the right corner and tied the game at 1-1.
Harvard had several opportunities in overtime, but outstanding play by Jon Paul Francini and Tom Clements kept the game tied. In a three-minute span, Harvard sent three shots on goal which Francini saved to prolong the game. Michael Fucito almost won the game early in the second overtime when he snuck past his defender and released a shot that would have been dangerous. However, Clements came from behind the play to make a diving deflection before the ball reached the goal.
In the final minute, Fucito broke free to the left side of the box and won the game with a goal at 109:17.
Francini made seven saves in the game, while Hahn finished with six.
