Fairfield loss halts Bulldogs' six-game winning streak

To say that the men's soccer team has had a tumultuous week would be an understatement. After defeating Dartmouth for the first time in 10 years on Sat., Oct. 6, the Bulldogs came into their Wed., Oct. 10 match against No. 13 Fairfield with a six-game winning streak, raring for an upset.

The upset the Elis were hoping for was not meant to be, as Yale eventually lost to its opponent. Two early goals by the Stags forced the Bulldogs into a hole from which they could not escape later in the game.

COURTESY SPORTS PUBLICITY Despite a late offensive surge, the Elis fell short to the Stags.

One of the brighter moments of the game occurred when captain Brian Lavin, PC '02, scored in the 65th minute of play. Lavin has been responsible for anchoring the team's defense. Lavin, Jon Skalecki, JE '05, Brian Roberts, SY '04, and Colin Stirrat, PC '03, have helped hold Bulldog opponents to 1.3 goals per game (compared to Yale's 1.6) and 11 shots per game (compared to Yale's 14). Lavin has also tallied three points on offense, thanks almost exclusively to his play off dead balls.

Nevertheless, there were some defensive miscues in the Fairfield game. Fairfield's first goal, which came in the third minute, was the result of a missed assignment that left a Stag player open off a dead ball. The Stags' second goal, only 12 minutes later, came after the ball was flicked over by the Yale defense. A Stag striker won the race to the ball, and then finished his breakaway. "They were beating us to the 50/50 balls," Stirrat said. "And we can't have that."

Now in the midst of a 10-day break, the Elis have time to reflect on their weaknesses from their past game in order to rebound agianst Pennsylvania. Penn, though not traditionally a soccer powerhouse, has an improved team this year, making it an opponent that Yale cannot take lightly. The Quakers are coming off an exciting 1-0 win over Cornell that lasted well into double overtime.

Perhaps this rest will provide the Bull-dogs with the spark needed to kick-off another winning streak, especially if they hope to vie for an Ivy League title this season.

—Ryan Taylor

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