MEN'S SOCCER SHUTS DOWN FAIRFIELD 1-0
DURHAM, N.H. – Senior forward Dylan
George (Bangor, Maine) tallied a game-winning goal in
the 6th minute of the first half to lead the University
of New Hampshire men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Fairfield
University Tuesday afternoon at Lewis Fields.
The win extends UNH's undefeated streak to seven games, improving
to 5-0-2. For UNH, the win marks the program's best start since the
2008 campaign when the 'Cats also opened the season with a 5-0-2
record. As for the Stags, they drop their second game in their last
three outings, falling to 1-3-4 on the season.
Marcus
Barr (Wallingford, Pa.) set up the play after he
received a through pass from George at the left side of the box, as
he took a touch and fired a shot but was turned away by Fairfield
goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe, however, George was quick to pick up
the rebound and potted it into the left side of the net at
5:36.
The 'Cats nearly extended their lead in the 28th
minute when Barr served a ball into the box off a corner kick to
Brad
Hilton (Merrimack, N.H.), who was able to get a piece
of the pass after he acrobatically rocketed into the air with his
back to the goal and rifled a shot just over the top the
crossbar.
New Hampshire had another major chance to increase its lead with
just over fifteen minutes remaining in the contest when Antti
Arvola (Espoo, Finland) took a ball into the middle of
the box and fired a shot to the center of the net, but O'Keeffe was
able to get a piece of it and sent it away. However, Jon
Harris (Amherst, N.H.) took advantage of an out of
position O'Keeffe and scooped up the rebound at the left side of
the box and crossed a shot but missed wide right.
Colin
O'Donnell (Hampden, Mass.) notched five saves in the
contest, improving to 4-0-2 this year. The senior keeper tops the
America East in goals against average (0.30), save percentage
(.933) and shutouts (4). O'Keeffe tallied a season-high nine saves
for the Stags.
UNH outshot Fairfield 16-13 in the contest, including a 9-1
advantage in the first frame. Hilton led the 'Cats with a game-high
six shots, including five on goal. Arvola tallied three shots of
his own.
New Hampshire returns to action Saturday, Oct. 2 when the Wildcats
head north to take on the University of Vermont at 2 p.m. on
Centennial Field to open up conference play.
