Rookies Lead Stags to First Win of Season Bookmark and Share

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – There were many 'firsts' during the Fairfield University Women's Soccer team's opening 1-0 victory over LIU Brooklyn. Freshman Amy Akerley picked up her first career goal, which became her first collegiate game-winner. In her first match, rookie goalkeeper Aytana Muschajew made five saves and recorded her first career victory and shutout. And finally, after winning over 370 games at Illinois Wesleyan, Head Coach David Barrett picked up his first Fairfield victory. And with that, the 2018 season has officially begun. "I'm pleased with the result today," said Coach Barrett. "Winning the first one is always nice. We weren't perfect by any means but I'm thrilled the team found a way to grind out the win today." Akerley's lone score provided the Stags (1-0) a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute. Fellow freshman Stephanie Tsangaris set up the score by taking a shot at the edge of the box that was deflected. Akerley was able to find space past her defender and unleashed the rebound into the back of the net. The Stags would allow two LIU Brooklyn (0-1) opportunities a few minutes later when Marian Awad and Kimberly Butland fired shots on net, but both were stopped by Muschajew. In her first appearance in net, the rookie Muschajew picked up five saves, including a pair that required diving efforts. In total, she faced eight Blackbird shots