Oct. 2, 2005

Box Score

FAIRFIELD,CT - Sophomore Sam Bailey assisted on the game-winning goal and tallied the insurance goal, as Fairfield University (3-3-2) defeated seventh-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson University (7-1-1) at Lessing Field on Saturday evening.

Bailey started the first scoring play when he took the ball down the left flank and sent a cross to the middle of the box. Vasilis Androutsos took the ball, fended off a defender, and released a shot from 10 yards center to the left side of the goal.

Later in the half, defender Tom Clements sent a pass to the left sideline, which was collected by Bailey. He carried the ball a few yards and lofted a shot that caught the upper right corner of the goal to push Fairfield in front 2-0.

Fairfield goalkeeper Andrew Frankel made one save in the second half, but it was a critical stop. With Fairfield leading 1-0, Alejandro Bedoya redirected a free kick with his head that was on goal, but Frankel dove and pushed the ball over the cross bar to keep Fairfield's one-goal advantage.

Both teams had several opportunties in the first half, but strong defensive efforts by both teams kept the game scoreless. Fairleigh Dickinson had the first opportunity just 10 minutes into the game when Bedoya one-timed a cross from eight yards center, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.

The Stags almost took advantage of a similar play when Mike Troy sent a shot toward goal off a corner kick, but the ball skipped over the cross bar. A few minutes later, the Knights had an opportunity thanks to Pino Tubito. The sophomore sent a through ball to Nadav Gottesman, who broke free in the box. Frankel charged toward the ball and secured the ball before Gottesman could get a foot on it.

It was Fairfield's turn to make a run, as Bailey and Androutsos worked together with a give and go. Androutsos secured a pass and quickly back passed to Bailey who broke free at 15 yards. He released a shot which just went wide.

Keeping in rhythm, Fairleigh Dickinson was awarded a corner kick a few possession later. The ball went toward the middle of the box when Donny Mayard started a run which ended with a diving header that missed wide left.

Fairfield's best first-half opportunity came when the Knights goalkeeper came out to make a save but was unable to secure the loose ball. Ed Meyer sent the ball into the box, which Mike Troy headed on goal. The goalkeeper was just able to recover to deflect the ball wide and keep the game scoreless.

"Fairfield deserved to win the game tonight," said Head Coach Seth Roland. "We didn't put forth our best effort and I tip my cap to Fairfield, who contributed to the fact that we didn't play well, but we also didn't have the kind of effort and energy that we needed to win the game."

"Having said that, being 7-1-1 after our nine out of conference games is certainly something we feel positive about as we look towards the opening of the NEC part of our schedule. Hopeflly we will get back to the way we are used to competing."

The Knights open their conference season at St. Francis PA on Oct. 7 at 3:30 p.m.