FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield field hockey team held #17 University at Albany scoreless in the first half in their America East conference opener.

The Stags had a solid afternoon defensively holding the #17 UAlbany scoreless in the first half and 17 shots on the game. Coming into today's game the Great Danes have been averaging 21.0 shots per game. The Stags also successfully defended all of Albany's nine penalty corners with blocks made by several different Fairfield defenders. 

Sophomore Maddy Sposito (Ridgefield, Conn.) played all 70:00 minutes in goal making eight saves including two one-on-one stops. 

UAlbany's Alysia Hough started the second half scoring at the 44:25 mark putting one past Sposito unassisted. The Great Danes were awarded a penalty stroke three minutes later that was successfully converted by leading scorer, Christina Patrick. Patrick scored her second goal of the game off a rebound that was originally saved by Sposito at 52:07.

The Great Danes' defense held the Stags to just one shot per half coming from Marit Westenberg (The Hague, Netherlands), and Molly Caffery (Scituate, Mass.), and only one penalty corner on the game. 

The Stags are now 6-5 overall, and 0-1 in the America East. They will continue play tomorrow at University Field against visiting St. Joseph's University. Tomorrow's match-up has been designated as the Stags' Play 4 The Cure game as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The day will begin with youth teams from Darien, Wilton, and Trumbull playing before the Stags' 2 pm game. There will be a halftime raffle, as well as opportunities to make donations or join the field hockey pledge challenge. All proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Come out to support the Stags tomorrow Sunday October 3 at 2 pm...don't forget to wear your pink!