The Fairfield University women’s soccer team scored four first half goals on its way to a 5-1 win over Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Rider University this afternoon on Senior Day at Lessing Field.  The Stags finish the season at 11-6-3 overall and in second place in the league at 6-1-2, while the Broncs fall to 5-11-3 and 1-8-0 in conference play.

Senior Janna Breitenwischer, in her final home game, tallied the Stags first two goals of the game.  Making a record tying 77th career start, the midfielder started the scoring at 11:33, corralling a Casey Frobey rebound and putting it into the back of the net.  She scored the game-winner just under six minutes later when Nicole Cavallaro’s corner kick bounced off the Broncs keeper and Breitenwischer was able to put it home.

The assist was the first of a single-game tying record four assists, equaling her effort in the Stags win over Niagara.  She earned her second assist at 22:15 as she placed a corner kick to the head of Ahna Johnson and she finished it inside the far post, for a 3-0 lead.  The Stags took a 4-0 lead at 38:03 as Cavallaro fed a pass through to Stephanie Ambrose from the midfield and Ambrose put the ball into the upper corner from the top of the box.

Rider avoided the shutout with a goal at 69:13.  Amy Vinarsky crossed the ball to Kara Perkoski and she slid the ball home just under the crossbar.  Cavallaro started the Stags final goal of the game, again on a corner kick. Jillian Eichler headed the ball down and Frobey touched the ball home.

Brett Maron earned her 34th career win, minding the net for 74:51, making four saves and allowing one goal.  Bridget Nerich played the final 15:09 and made one save.  Alex Post minded the net for the entire contest for Rider, making seven saves.

Cavallaro also set the school’s single-season record with her 16 assists.  She passes the 14 of JulieAnne Forman from 2001.

The Stags out shot the visiting Broncs 18-8 in the game and both teams had three corner kick chances.  The Stags committed fewer fouls, 12, than Rider, 17.

With the win, Fairfield earns the number two seed in the upcoming MAAC tournament, and will take on the third-seed Loyola on Friday, Nov. 9.  Marist and Niagara will meet in the other semifinal.  The games are set for 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be set on Monday.