Sept. 8, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Courtney O'Connor scored a goal in the first half, while Kristen McManus added another score in the second half to lift the Fairfield University field hockey team to a 2-0 win over UMBC in the Stags home opener. The victory improved Fairfield's overall record to 2-2.
The Stags dominated play throughout the game, as they spent most of the game in the Retrievers end of the field. Fairfield held a 22-5 advantage in shots, with 14 of those attempts coming in the second half.
The home team jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute of the game. The Stags were awarded a penalty corner, which the offense used as a way to set up a play inside the circle. Emily Janis eventually secured the loose ball and sent a pass to O'Connor, who swiped the ball past UMBC goaltender Kat Tag.
Janis nearly gave the Stags a 2-0 lead midway through the second half when she secured a rebound and pushed the ball past the goaltender. However, the officials waved off the goal because of an illegal touch.
The setback was temporary as the Stags managed a goal about 10 minutes later thanks to McManus placing herself in the right spot at the right time. After the first shot was turned aside by Tag, McManus angled her way to the rebound and one-timed a shot into the open left side of the goal.
Elizabeth Thomas earned her first shutout of the young season with three saves in 70 minutes of work, which lowered her goals against average to 1.41 in four games.
The Stags return to action on Sunday, September 10 when they host Drexel University for a non-conference game. A reminder that the game time was moved to 12:00 noon.
