WEST CHESTER, Pa. -- Goalkeeper Maddy Sposito made eight saves in her first career start as the Stags field hockey team dropped its season opener by a 3-0 count to West Chester University.

The Rams opened the scoring with a goal just six minutes into the game. Nicole Fiorella converted a pass from Stef Pirri and beat Sposito to the far corner for a 1-0 lead. Fiorella doubled the West Chester advantage with a goal in the 39th minute, scoring off a penalty corner which was set up Leah Angstadt. The scoring ended when Alisha Moran beat the Stags defense with under a minute remaining in the game, providing the final score of 3-0.

Kristen Arnold made four saves to pace the West Chester defense. The Stags owned a 9-5 shot advantage in the first half, but were outshot by a 12-0 count in the second half. Anne Nieuwenhuis, Marit Westenberg, and Hiliary Burns each had two shots for Fairfield.

The Stags return to action on Sunday, August 29 when they take on Temple University.