Saints Run Ends in Semifinals
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. - Ashley Small's goal in the 68th minute was the difference as No. 2 seed Fairfield edged past sixth seeded Siena Women's Soccer 1-0 in the MAAC Semifinals at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex. Siena's 2013 season ends with a solid 11-9-1 final record.
Fairfield (12-6-2) controlled tempo throughout, out-shooting the Saints 16-4 and held a 7-2 edge in corners. But Siena's defense held up and Taylor Booth made four saves to keep things scoreless deep into the match.
But Small, who scored twice in Fairfield's 3-0 win over Siena in Loudonville Oct. 23, again proved to be the thorn in the Saints side. Small broke down the left side of the field and beat her defender 1v1 for the decisive tally.
Taylor D'Alfonso led the Saints with two shots including Siena's only attempt on target. Fellow senior captain and the MAAC's leading scorer Brittany Pfaff was limited to just one shot in her final collegiate contest.
Kathleen Early was called upon to make just one save for Fairfield, whose defense stepped up in the absence of MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Emma Pichl who suffered a season-ending injury in the Stags match Friday.
Fairfield advances to Monday's MAAC Championship Match at noon against top seed Monmouth.
Siena graduates six seniors which led the team to the program's best record since the Saints' MAAC Championship season of 2010 when the group was freshmen.
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