Huskies Upend Fairfield

UConn Downs Stags in Connecticut Battle

November 22, 2007

STORRS, Conn. – In an all-Connecticut battle, the UConn men's soccer team beat Fairfield University, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday night at Marrone Stadium.

At the 14:43 mark in the first half, an own goal slipped past Fairfield goalkeeper, Justin Burse, to give the Huskies the 1-0 lead and eventual win. Junior Toni Stahl broke away from the defense and played the ball into the box where a Stags' defender sent a leaping header into the wrong direction and into the back of the net to put the Huskies on the board.

UConn improves to 10-4-6 and will travel to 10th-seeded Virginia on Tuesday, Nov. 25 for a s second-round matchup. Fairfield's season ends with an 11-8 overall record.

UConn used the one goal advantage and spread out their offense, controlling the ball for a majority of the game while limiting the Stags' offensive possessions. Fairfield, a team that averages 11.0 shots per game, was held to two shots the entire 90 minutes. UConn goalkeeper Josh Ford recorded one save on the one shot on goal.

The Huskies picked up the tempo of the game in the second half as Stahl, an unanimous BIG EAST Conference First Team selection, continued to lead the Huskies as he played a ball into the box but Burse was able to grab the ball before sophomore Shawn Nicklaw (San Diego, Calif.) was able to get a shot off. Another free kick by Mike Pezza just missed the inside far post as Burse made the save in the 65th minute.

The Huskies' almost took a two goal lead with under a minute to go in the game as senior Akeem Priestley had an open shot in the box which was saved just in front of the goal by a Stags' defender. Burse finished the game with four saves as the Stags' picked up a team save as well.

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