The Fairfield University men’s lacrosse team will host in-state rival Yale University on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Lessing Field.  The contest is to be the first-ever Connecticut based Lacrosse For Autism event, an initiative supported by Lacrosse Unlimited, Inc.  Proceeds from the game will benefit Lacrosse For Autism and Stamford Education 4 Autism, Inc.

Lacrosse for Autism was created by Brendan and Jennifer Fleming of St. James, NY, to bring autism awareness to the ever-growing lacrosse community. The goal of each festival-style Lacrosse For Autism event is to have vendors on-hand to share autism resources and information with families and friends touched by a child with autism and build a unified sense of camaraderie and understanding. Top lacrosse and sports performance brands STX and Nike will also be represented at the game running their interactive zones for players of all ages to experience.

“We are very proud to be a part of this event and help raise awareness of Lacrosse for Autism and Stamford Education 4 Autism,” said Fairfield head coach Ted Spencer.  “It is a wonderful cause and we are confident that our fans will support the event wholeheartedly.”

“There is strength in numbers and the lacrosse community in Connecticut is a strong network of thousands of dynamic individuals that continues to grow at an impressive pace. LU is honored to support the Fleming family and the autism community,” said Joseph DeSimone, President of Lacrosse Unlimited. “We are so grateful to the participating Universities for allowing us to partner with their lacrosse programs and raise money for a great cause and assist Lacrosse For Autism in making a difference.”

Tickets for the game are general admission and are $5.  Fans can purchase tickets at any of the Lacrosse Unlimited’s 16 stores in the Northeast, including four in Connecticut; Norwalk, Danbury, Madison and Avon. Tickets are also available for purchase online at LacrosseUnlimited.com or via email to stamfordE4autism@aol.com.

Fairfield, a member of the ECAC Lacrosse League, enters the game with a 3-6 record.  Yale, a member of the Ivy League, is 2-6 on the season.  The Bulldogs lead the all-time series between the two teams, 3-0 and the game Saturday will be the first meetings since the 2006 season.