Game 7
#4 Saint Peter's (3-2-1, 3-2-1 MAAC) vs. #5 Fairfield (3-2-1, 3-3-1 MAAC)
Date: Sunday, April 11
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Joseph J. Jaroschak Field, Jersey City, NJ
Attendance Policy: Spectators to Sunday's game will be limited to only those individuals who are included on Saint Peter's and Fairfield's team pass lists, per school policy.
Opening Word:
- The Saint Peter's University men's soccer team will begin its postseason campaign this weekend, as it prepares to host Fairfield in the 2020-21 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men's Soccer quarterfinal round on Sunday, April 11 at 3 p.m.
- The Peacocks enter the postseason as the fourth seed after finishing the regular season with a 3-2-1 conference record.
- Saint Peter's concluded 2020-21 with the same record as Fairfield, but was awarded the higher seed due to the Peacocks' 4-3 win over the Stags earlier this season on March 26.
- The playoff berth marks the first time in program history that the men have reached the MAAC Men's Soccer Championship for three consecutive years.
- Additionally, this year marks the fourth conference postseason appearance for head coach and reigning MAAC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, Julian Richens.
- Sunday's game will be the 20th appearance in the MAAC tournament for the men, as the team holds an all-time playoff record of 9-10 against MAAC opponents.
Top Performers:
- Senior captain Jordan Jowers and classmate Dominic Laws continued their impressive careers throughout the 2020-21 season, finishing among the league's top players in nearly every offensive category.
- Jowers concluded his regular season campaign tied for first in the MAAC in both assists (4) and points (12), while also finishing tied for third in goals (4).
- Laws continued his offensive dominance within the MAAC, finishing his regular season stretch as the only player in the conference to record two shots on goal per contest.
- Additionally, Laws sits tied for first in the league in goals scored (5), and sits just behind Jowers with the third-highest point tally in the MAAC (11).
- Junior midfielder Jamie Davis also had a strong offensive year, ranking third on the team in points (5) after completing the regular season with two goals and one assist.
- Senior defender Anton Moore and junior forward Matt Hoyt round out the group of Saint Peter's goal scorers, with one score apiece on the season.
Last Time Out:
- The Peacocks finished out the regular season at Iona on April 8, drawing even with the Gaels in a 1-1 decision in New Rochelle.
- Saint Peter's faced a 1-0 deficit as late as the 84th minute in its game against Iona, until Davis was able to find the equalizer off the feed from Jowers with just over six minutes left in regulation to force extra minutes.
- The single standings point proved to be a vital acquisition for the Peacocks, as it secured their fourth seed and home field advantage heading into this weekend.
- The win was the first time Saint Peter's had finished a game in a draw since its also tied Iona 2-2 in New Rochelle on October 6, 2018.
Series with the Stags:
- The Peacocks and the Stags will meet for the second time this season on Sunday, as Saint Peter's holds an overall record of 20-26-5 against Fairfield.
- Earlier this season, Saint Peter's was able to stage a major comeback in its season opener against Fairfield on March 26. The men were able to overcome a 2-0 deficit to take a 4-3 win in Jersey City, and earned a 1-0 start to the season.
- The two programs have only ever met twice before in the postseason, as each side holds a 1-1 record heading into the opening round.
- The Peacocks came away victorious in their last MAAC Championship meeting against the Stags, securing a 2-1 win in the semifinal round on November 17, 2007 before moving on to the championship final against Loyola.
Up Next:
- The MAAC Men's Soccer Championship runs from April 11-17 and features the top eight teams in the conference. The highest seed in each game will serve as the host institution through each of the three rounds.
Up Next
- The Peacocks will prepare for the 2020-21 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship, which is set to make its return from April 11-17. All rounds are set to be hosted by the highest seeds.
