POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - For the second straight game versus an undefeated MAAC opponent, a 2-0 deficit proved too much for the home-team Red Foxes. On Sunday afternoon, Marist (5-5-4, 1-3-1 MAAC) fell to Fairfield (6-4-1, 5-0-1 MAAC) by a score of 2-1. Junior Stephan Brossard (Port Washington, N.Y.) headed in an Anthony Rozmus (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) corner kick in the 53^rd minute for the Red Foxes' lone goal.

The game began with a Fairfield feel to the action as the Stags controlled the majority of possession and took the first seven shots. During this first 20 minutes, Fairfield tested Marist's goalkeeper Steve Skonieczny (LaGrangeville, N.Y.) twice.

Marist attempted to kick start their offense over the final 25 minutes of the first half as Brossard and senior Lucas Szabo (Bethesda, Md.) each had dangerous crosses towards goal. Brossard's pass was a high, looping cross from the left wing that swung in just inches ahead of a charging Matt Wendelken (Massapequa, N.Y.), while Szabo's pass was intended for Dylan Lee (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), but denied by Fairfield's goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe.

The Red Foxes' best scoring opportunity was in the 30^th minute as Szabo corralled a deflection 20 yards from goal and dribbled towards the net before ripping a shot that Fairfield's last defender slid in from the side to block.

After withstanding Marist's offensive efforts, Fairfield responded in the 39^th minute with the game's first marker. Daniel Shaw tallied the goal after controlling a deflected Keaton Cristobal pass and shooting into the net from six yards out.

Faced with a 1-0 deficit the Red Foxes came out in the second half and looked to tie the game up quickly. Unfortunately for them, Fairfield had other ideas as Jon Clements and Jordan Ayris connected for the Stags' second goal of the game at 49:43.

Marist responded 3:03 later at 52:47 when Rozmus put a high, floating corner kick into the box that Brossard powerfully headed into the back of the net.

Feeling invigorated after the goal, the Red Foxes started playing more short, fast and crisp passes amongst each other to help build more sustained offensive possessions. An uptick in physicality also aided Marist as they earned multiple free kicks deep in the offensive end. Rozmus and Troy Confessore (Kendall Park, N.J.) put dangerous boots into the box that tested Fairfield's defense.

Overall, the Red Foxes outshot the Stags 7-3 in the second half.

Skonieczny stopped Fairfield's final attempt for an insurance goal, an Adam Cowen header in the 76^th minute to keep the game at 2-1.

Fairfield weathered the Red Fox pressure and eventually held on for their fifth MAAC win of the season.

For the game, Marist was outshot 12-9 with Fairfield holding a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal, as well.

Skonieczny finished with three saves.

After the game head coach Matt Viggiano remarked that his team "played sporadic and came out flat to begin the game; that's something that is always tough with Sunday games. We came out and played a much better brand of soccer in the second half, but going down two goals did us in. To lose two close 2-1 games to the top two MAAC teams this weekend shows that we're talented enough to stick with and beat anyone. We just have to keep fighting."

The Red Foxes will next be in action on Friday, Oct. 21 when they travel to Saint Peter's for a 3 p.m. matchup.