Stags Get Winning Goal Early In Second Half

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Games with Fairfield are turning into very frustrating affairs for the Yale men's soccer team.

For the second straight year, Yale played well but came away with nothing to show for it, falling 1-0 to the Stags before a big crowd at Alumni Field. Last year at Reese Stadium the Bulldogs had a big edge in shots (13-4) and corner kicks (8-2) but lost 1-0.

Friday's game was scoreless at halftime, and the Bulldogs had the better of the play over the final 45 minutes, but Ben Wingnall's goal at 51:15 was the difference.

"This was night and day compared to how we played on Tuesday [a 2-1 loss to Iona]," said Yale head coach Brian Tompkins. "We learned our lesson well and I thought put in a terrific performance, especially defensively."

In the second half, Yale outshot the Stags 7-2 and had all four of the corner kicks in the half.

"We really got after Fairfield in the second half, but were a bit unfortunate," Tompkins said. "Overall I was really pleased with the way our guys played. We just need to add in that final piece which is to reward our good play with a goal."

Avery Schwartz had two of Yale's best scoring chances. Early in the second half a ball was played into the box which bounced onto the foot of Schwartz who volleyed a shot that just went over the crossbar. He had another opportunity in the 59th minute when he redirected the ball with a header that forced Fairfield goalkeeper Matt Turner to fully extend and push the ball away beyond the left post.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Sunday when they play at Rhode Island. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.

Report filed by Tim Bennett (timothy.bennett@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity