Fairfield, CT (October 3, 2003) -- Greg Williams and Dave Thomas combined for the game-winning goal just five minutes into the game, as Fairfield University evened its MAAC mark with a 2-0 victory against Manhattan College at Lessing Field. The Stags improved to 2-3-1 overall and 1-1 in the MAAC, while the Jaspers fell to 1-7 and 0-1.
The Stags pressured Manhattan early in the game, and that pressure eventually paid off. The Jaspers were called for a foul outside the box, which set up a free kick. Thomas sent the ball to the far post, and Williams directed the ball into the middle of the net for a 1-0 Fairfield lead.
Fairfield kept the pressure on Manhattan goalkeeper
Collin Leaver, but the freshman kept the visitors in the game with a pair of first-half saves. The second half saw both teams control the ball in the middle of the field, until Fairfield countered off a Manhattan rush 10 minutes into the period.
Billy Androutsos controlled a loose ball and ran down the left sideline. The sophomore sent a cross to the middle of the box, which was deflected by a Manhattan defender into the Jasper goal for an own goal.
Manhattan never mounted much of a counter attack from that point, as the Fairfield defense stifled any offensive threats. The Stags did not allow a Manhattan shot in the second half, and just two shots in the game. Fairfield goalkeeper Andrew Frankel benefitted from the tight defense, earning his first shutout of the season.
Freshman Mike Troy had two opportunities to score his fifth goal, but Leaver made two acrobatic saves to keep the score at 2-0. On the first attempt, Troy beat his defender to the inside and sent a shot to the right-hand corner which Leaver deflected. Troy later took another shot inside the box, but Leaver made a diving save to the lower left-hand corner.
The Jaspers are back in action on Sunday, October 5, when they travel to New Rochelle for a MAAC game against local-rival Iona. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
