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Washington Evening Journal
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Big second half propels Fairfield soccer to season opening win
Trojans break tie with WACO for first victory of 2024
FAIRFIELD — Fairfield and WACO soccer opened the 2024 season on Thursday with a Southeast Conference versus Southeast Iowa Super Conference bout.
In what was a tightly contested match through the opening half of action, ended with the Trojans taking a one sided victory 4-1 after 80 minutes.
In the first 40 minutes neither WACO nor Fairfield could find the means to pull away, but both did find the back of the net.
Fairfield got things going on its side off the foot of senior Carter Stark. Meanwhile, the Warriors first goal of the season came from junior Keiran Luitjens. Luitjens hit the net off a dish from sophomore Tristian Luitjens.
The pair of goals were the only two mustered in the first frame as the game was level, 1-1, heading into halftime.
Everything shifted in the second half as Fairfield began to assert its dominance.
The Trojans offense only got better, which was in large part due to senior Jaxen Allen, coupled with some stifling defense from the backline.
Allen kicked things off in the second half, scoring what would be the first of three goals for Fairfield, two of which came from him.
With 22:33 remaining, Allen used his left foot to slip his second ball passed WACO goalkeeper Colton Leichty giving the Trojans a 3-1 lead.
Leichty did all he could for the Warriors, finishing with six saves, many of which could have easily been Trojan points.
Fairfield continued to push the pace and it led to one final goal, this time coming off an absolute lazer from senior Carter Moore, who powered the ball into the net from 10 yards outside the box.
Jaxon Allen led Fairfield with two goals in the win. Carter Stark and Carter Moore also ended with one goal. Stark also tallied one assist. Binh Truong, Rowan Kness and Chaz Wohnoutka all had one assist as well.
Dalton Drish gave up just one goal and finished with four saves in the win.
Keiran Luitjens finished with WACO’s lone goal and Tristian Luitjens one assist. Colton Leichty had six saves.
Fairfield (1-0) will take on Mt. Pleasant (0-1) on Thursday, April 4. WACO (0-1) will take on Notre Dame (0-1) on Monday, April 1.
