Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Three different Fairfield University student-athletes scored a goal in the first 16 minutes of the game as the Stags men's soccer team posted a 3-0 win over Rider University on Saturday night.

The Stags' attack was intense from the opening as they gained possession after Rider kicked the ball deep into the Fairfield defensive third to start the game. Just three minuteslater, the Stags struck with the game's first goal as Hrvoje Glavan controlled a failed clearing pass and one-timed the ball into the far lower corner of the goal to make it a 1-0 lead.

Less than two minutes later, Fairfield doubled its advantage with a goal off a corner kick. Jake Zuniga sent the ball into play where the ball bounced aimlessly until Jordan Ayris controlled it about 12 yards from goal. He sent a pass back to Reco McLaren who spun off his defender and laced a shot that also caught the far lower corner for a 2-0 Stags lead.

The lead nearly was extended to three goals when Ayris freed himself by carrying the ball past his defender and went on goal with goalkeeper David Pastuna being the only remaining Rider defender. Pastuna went low as did Ayris' shot which prevented the Stags from gaining another goal.

Just 10 minutes later, the Stags picked up that elusive third goal when Jon Clements finished a scramble in front of the goal, pushing a shot past Pastuna who laid helplessly on the goal line as the ball went into the corner of the goal.

Fairfield had several opportunities to score more goals in the first half but each time, Pastuna came up with a big save. Ayris and McLaren each had excellent opportunities late in the half, but were turned away by the freshman goalkeeper.

The second half played out much the way the end of the first half came about as the Stags used an aggressive attack to keep Rider from being able to put together any sustained offensive movement. As the half progressed, Fairfield kept control of the ball in the midfield with outstanding play coming from Daniel Shaw. The senior kept the pace of the game in Fairfield's favor for the final 20 minutes of the contest.

Freshman goalkeeper Joe Martin made four saves to record the shutout for Fairfield, while Pastuna finished with six saves before yielding to Jimmy Quilter in the 66^th minute. Quilter was not forced to make any saves during his 25 minutes of work.

Fairfield will return to the pitch on Wednesday, October 30 when the team heads to Quinnipiac University for a conference match up. Game time is slated for 4 pm.