Fairfield Defeats Rider 1-0 in Men's Soccer First Round
MAAC Sports
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Number six seed Fairfield University defeated number three seed Rider University 1-0 in the first round of the 2014 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship at Ben Cohen Field on the campus of Rider University. The Stags advance to play number one seed Quinnipiac on Friday at 1:00 p. m.
The first half was fast paced and highly contested that included five shots and two saves by both squads. Fairfield goalkeeper, Matt Turner made a diving save on a shot from point-blank range to keep the game scoreless at the end of the first half. Fairfield’s Jordan Ayris scored the game’s lone goal in the 53rd minute unassisted from 20 yards out.
Rider had numerous chances to equalize, shooting shot after shot, after Fairfield scored, but could not put out the ball in the net past Turner. The Broncs outshot the Stags seven to four in the second half and twelve to nine for the game.
Fairfield University (8-4-6) earns a spot in the championship semifinal game next Friday, November 14 at Quinnipiac University. The Stags will face top seed Quinnipiac University. The winner of the 2014 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship will earn the MAAC's automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship.