Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Sophomore back Erik Ilisije came off the bench and scored the eventual game winning goal with 58 seconds remaining in the first half, leading Fairfield (5-5-0, 2-0-1 MAAC) past the Manhattan men's soccer team (2-11-1, 0-3-1 MAAC) this morning at Gaelic Park. Despite a valiant effort by Jaspers' goalkeeper Randall Brobson, who recorded a game-high eight saves, the Stags escaped with a 1-0 victory.
Brobson came up with two big saves within the first 20 minutes of action to keep the contest scoreless. In the fourth minute, the sophomore from Succasunna, N.J., made a diving stop to his left off a header from Stags' midfielder Matthew Uy. Then in the 12th minute, Brobson charged out of his box and stuffed an open look from Christian Uy.
With 44:02 on the clock, Fairfield posted the sole goal of the contest coming off the foot of Ilisije. Christian Uy penetrated through the Jaspers' defense, served a pass into the box which Ilisije settled and placed a shot into the right corner.
The second half proved to be a defensive stalemate, with the Jaspers' unit holding off several Fairfield scoring opportunities. Each team rallied for 10 shots during the stanza.
Manhattan's best scoring chance came in the 73rd minute. Junior midfielder James Gannon sent a ball to Matt Gormley, who blasted a header on goal toward the top left corner. Fairfield's Justin Burse, a 6-4 goalkeeper from Louisville, Ken., managed to elevate and slightly tip the shot above the crossbar.
Burse made five saves to secure the shutout.
Manhattan looks to snap its five game winless streak on Saturday afternoon when the squad travels to Jersey City for a meeting with Saint Peter's. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
