Sept. 18, 2011

Final Stats

Fairfield, Conn. - Senior Rachel Silverman (Rye Brook, N.Y.) scored the game-winner in the 54th minute as the Stony Brook women's soccer team rallied for a 2-1 victory over Fairfield on Sunday. Junior Sa'sha Kershaw (Baltimore, Md.) also scored on a penalty kick as the Seawolves snapped a seven-game skid.

With the game tied 1-1 in the second half, the Seawolves (2-7-0) were awarded their first corner kick of the game. The cross flew into the box and bounced around momentarily, before Silverman pounced on the ball and nudged it over the line to give Stony Brook the lead. The goal was Silverman's first career game-winner and second goal in a Stony Brook uniform.

"We've talked about being grittier and this was definitely a gritty performance," head coach Sue Ryan said. "We put two halves of soccer together today, it was a real team win."

Fairfield (2-2-2) went ahead early when Lauren Reilly headed in a Stephanie Sutherby cross at the 23:50 mark.

Stony Brook was undeterred, however, and knotted the scoreline just six minutes later when Kershaw converted from the penalty spot with a composed finish for her second goal of the year. The penalty was set up when a Fairfield defender was whistled for a handball in the box.

The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Seawolves and handed Stony Brook its second comeback win of the year after rallying to beat Iona in the season opener. The win also gives the Seawolves a much-needed morale-boost heading into conference play this week.

Stony Brook will take on Vermont in its America East opener on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Burlington, Vt.