Sept. 19, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- After an 11-day layoff, the Fairfield University men's soccer team will return to action on Wednesday night when it hosts the University of Hartford for the team's 2006 home opener. The game is slated for a 7 pm start on Lessing Field. The Stags, ranked third in the latest NSCAA North Atlantic Regional poll, will play for the first time since a 3-1 win over Adelphi University on September 9.
Fairfield brings a 3-2 record into the contest after winning three of its last four games. The Stags opened the season with a 1-0 setback against West Virginia University, the nation's eighth-ranked team in the NSCAA national poll. Since being shutout in the opener, Fairfield has tallied seven goals in four games.
Senior Alex Cunliffe has played a role in the team's offensive surge, scoring three of the team's seven goals during that stretch. He earned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) player of the week award on September 11 after netting the first two goals in the Adelphi win. Junior Steve Desmond is not far behind Cunliffe, checking into the Hartford game with five total points (two goals and one assist).
Head Coach Carl Rees has earned a reputation for putting a tenacious defensive unit on the pitch year after year. That fact has not changed for 2006, as the backs have allowed more than one goal on just one occasion - a 2-0 loss to Hartwick on September 3. Goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini has anchored the defense with 10 saves and a 1.20 goals against average.
Hartford brings a 2-2-3 overall record into the game, with both of its losses coming against nationally-ranked teams. The Hawks dropped a 5-2 season-opening decision against Duke University, and a 1-0 setback against Massachusetts on September 15. Over the last four games, Hartford owns an 0-1-3 mark. Like Fairfield, the Hawks have spent plenty of time on the road, playing four away games and two neutral site contests.
Kenniel Martin leads the team in scoring with five total points, netting two goals and an assist. Gary Muir places second on the team with four points, netting two goals which include a game winner. Matt Glaeser has played every minute in the Hartford goal, posting a 1.53 goals against average with 23 saves in seven games.
