PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The impressive postseason run by the Fairfield University women's soccer team came to an end Friday evening as the Stags were edged by fourth-seeded Oklahoma State University in the first round of the NCAA Championship.
Fairfield (15-5-3) held Oklahoma State (18-1-3), the top ranked offense in the nation with an average 3.5 goals per game, to just one goal for only the fifth time this season.
"I think the program took a big step in establishing itself among the elite," Head Coach Jim O'Brien said after the game. "We went in with a relatively young team and very good senior leadership that really guided the season to what was - the second most wins in program history and a great effort tonight."
Fairfield battled Oklahoma State to a 0-0 tie in a pretty even first half. The Cowgirls had a chance in the 10th minute as Kyndall Treadwell came in for the one-on-one, but Kelly Boudreau came up with the stop. The Stags had several scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes of play, including a blast by Nicole Cavallaro that sailed just over the net. Cavallaro had a header in the 22nd minute that went just wide. Senior Ahna Johnson looked for a tally in the 31st minute but the Cowgirls' Erin Stigler was able to punch it away.
The Cowgirls broke the stalemate at 54:32 as Siera Strawser put one past a diving Boudreau. Both Kasey Langdon and Yolanda Odenyo assisted on Strawser's 13th goal of the season.
Fairfield's Chrissie Sidie opened the half with a shot just 52 seconds in, but the Cowgirls stepped up the defensive pressure, holding the Stags without a shot for more than 41 minutes. Jasmin Corniel notched the Stags' second shot of the half at the 87th minute, but Stigler came up with the save. Corniel's shot sparked a late push by the Stags, which included two corners within the final minute of play, but Fairfield was unable to capitalize.
Both goalkeepers, Boudreau and Stigler, finished the night with three saves. Oklahoma State outshot Fairfield, 13-10, but the Stags held a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.
The NCAA appearance was the Stags' second in four years and their fifth overall. Fairfield earned the berth via an automatic bid from winning the MAAC Championship.