Sept. 22, 2006
New Rochelle, N.Y. - The Fairfield University women's soccer team opened its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title defense on Friday afternoon, with a 0-0 double overtime tie at Iona College, Friday afternoon. The Stags are now 2-3-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the MAAC, while the Gaels are now 1-6-3 and 0-0-1 in the league.
Fairfield out shot its host 20-13 for the game, including 5-1 in the second overtime period. In the final 60 seconds the Stags had a pair of corner kicks that nearly resulted in goals.
Brett Maron made five saves in the contest, notching her second shutout of the season.
The first portion of the first overtime was all Iona, with the Gaels having several chances that the Stags defense turned away. With less than 90 seconds in that period, the Stags had an odd man rush that resulted in several chances at the goal line.
Neither team could score in regulation, with the Stags controlling the ball for a majority of the contest. Both teams had chances in the second half to avoid the extra time, but could not convert.
Alex Caram fed the ball to Ahna Johnson, with 23 minutes to play in regulation, that Johnson slid to get a foot in, but the shot was deflected out of bounds by the Iona keeper.
Iona nearly broke the scoreless tie with 17:06 to play off a corner. A Gael player put a head on the ball directing the ball from the far post back to the near post, but Amanda Vargo stayed home on that post, and cleared the ball.
With 72 seconds left, Caram nearly won the game for the Stags, with a low line drive shot to the lower 90 that was stopped.
In the first half, Chrissie Sidie (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) provided one of the best chances for the Stags, with a strong shot from 25-yards that went just inches over the cross bar.
Fairfield returns to action on Sunday, September 24, as it hosts the University of Hartford. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Lessing Field.
