Women's College Soccer

Fairfield University 1, Rider University 0

FAIRFIELD, CT—Turnabout is fair play. Especially at Fairfield.

Last year on Rider's Senior Day the Broncs defeated Fairfield 1-0.

On Saturday afternoon, on Fairfield's Senior Day, the Stags defeated the Broncs 1-0 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game.

“We played really well, we played a good game,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome.

For the Broncs it was a bit like Déjà vu all over again.

Fairfield (3-12-2, 2-5-2 MAAC) scored with less than two minutes left in the second half, just as the Stags did two years ago against Rider.

“It was like when we were here two years ago and they scored in the last two minutes and stole the game from us,” Hounsome said. “A disappointing result today but happy with the performance. Fairfield is a very good team. They haven't scored many goals this year, for whatever reason, but they haven't given up very many. They are a talented team.”

The game was the regular season finale for the Broncs (9-5-3, 6-3-1 MAAC), who have already clinched a MAAC playoff spot.

The Broncs will be either the third or fourth seed and will host a MAAC playoff game Saturday, October 29. Rider's seed will be determined on Wednesday, the final day of MAAC play. The top two seeds advance to the semifinals. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth seeds will play Saturday in the first round.

Monmouth clinched the top seed and will host the semifinals and finals November 4, 6.

Rider senior goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) made five saves. “Beth did good,” Hounsome said.  “The goal Fairfield scored was a good goal.”

Fairfield out-shot Rider 12-10. Both teams had six shots on goal. “Their keep made some really good saves in the first half,” Hounsome said.

Fairfield leads the all-time series 17-5-1.

Rider advances to the MAAC playoffs for the fourth year in a row and the sixth time in the last eight years. The Broncs won the MAAC Championship in 2014.

Last year Rider lost in the semifinals at Monmouth. This year, Rider will be looking for turnabout. After all, it is fair play.

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