Score: UAlbany 1, Fairfield 0
 
Location: Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, N.Y.
 
Records: UAlbany (1-0-0) | Fairfield (0-1-0)
 
Short Story: Haflidi Sigurdarson volleys the Great Danes to victory after a close first half in the 2021 season opener against Fairfield.
 
Key Stats

• Haflidi Sigurdarson scored the game's only goal, off assists from Giuliano Lucca and Andrew Weiner
• UAlbany outshot Fairfield 11-6 overall, including 10-2 in the second half
• UAlbany won nine corner kicks to Fairfield's four, including a 6-2 advantage in the first half
• Saad Faiz led UAlbany with three shots

Head Coach Trevor Gorman: "It's always pleasing to get a win on opening night.  It was great to be back in Casey and the fans were fantastic.  Our players grew into the game and the second half was a positive display attacking and creating chances.  It's early days and we're focused on some big challenges ahead and will get to work trying to improve."
 
How it Happened

• Fairfield applied pressure early, taking two shots in the first five minutes of the game.  The first was saved by UAlbany goalkeeper Carlos Tofern, a kick save on a breakaway, and the second was blocked by the UAlbany defense before reaching Tofern.
• UAlbany drew back-to-back early corner kicks in the 10th minute, neither of which resulted in a score.  UAlbany drew a third corner in the 16th minute.
• A wave substitution for UAlbany in the 29th minute brought five players off the bench and into the game.  Neither side could break through, and the first half ended with the score tied 0-0.
• Fairfield drew two corner kicks in the first six minutes of the second half, before Austin DaSilva nearly put the Great Danes ahead in the 54th minute with a diving header that ricocheted off the crossbar.  It was one of two UAlbany shots during the game that hit the bar.
• In the 62nd minute, Haflidi Sigurdarson received a flick header from Andrew Weiner, off a serve from Giuliano Lucca.  Sigurdarson, in the middle of the Fairfield box, swung a left-footed volley past Fairfield goalkeeper Will Marment to put UAlbany ahead 1-0.
• UAlbany had a pair of would-be goals called back later in the half due to fouls committed in the offensive box, but Sigurdarson's goal proved enough and UAlbany claimed a 1-0 victory in their 2021 opener.
• The Great Dane defense locked down during the second half, holding the Stags to just two shots.  Tofern went untested after halftime.

Next: UAlbany visits St. John's on Monday, August 30 for their 2021 road opener.