Nov. 2, 2006
Fairfield, Conn. - Fairfield University earned a 3-0 victory over Loyola College in the second semifinal game of the 2006 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship at the Stags' Lessing Field.
Fairfield, the top seed and 2006 regular season champion, got on the scoreboard at the 41:06 mark as junior forward Sam Bailey netted fifth goal of the season on a shot from sophomore forward Aldo Hope. More than three minutes later, the Stags benefited by an own goal by the Greyhounds to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The Stags closed out their offensive effort at the 75:00 mark as Bailey netted his second goal of the night, assisted by senior midfielder Alex Cunliffe, to give Fairfield the 3-0 win.
Fairfield's Jon Paul Francini registered his fifth shutout of the year with four saves this evening in goal. Loyola netminder Justin Chelland recorded two saves for the fourth-seeded Greyhounds. Fairfield is now 13-5-1 entering the championship game, while Loyola concluded its season at 7-11-1 overall.
Fairfield will face third-seeded Saint Peter's College in the championship game on Sunday, November 5, at 11:00 a.m., live on ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network. The winner of the 2006 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship will earn an automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.
Scoring: Fairfield - Sam Bailey (Aldo Hope) 41:06; Bailey (Alex Cunliffe); Loyola - Own Goal 44:20
Saves: Fairfield - Jon Paul Francini 4; Loyola - Justin Chelland 2
Shots: Loyola 8, Fairfield 7
Corner Kicks: Fairfield 5, Loyola 4
Fouls: Loyola 16, Fairfield 10
Yellow Cards: Loyola 4, Fairfield 0
