PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Fairfield field hockey team improved 6-4 as they topped Brown University this afternoon.

Despite the rainy weather, the Stags had a strong second half to overpower the Brown Bears. Brown started off quickly as Elara Mosquera's shot got through traffic and past goalkeeper Caitlin O'Donnell just a little over two minutes into the game. The Stags answered right back with a goal from senior Anne Nieuwenhuis. Both Marit Westenberg and Melanie Leo were credited with the assist off the penalty corner to Nieuwenhuis' shot that went from the top left to the right hand corner past Bear goalkeeper Lauren Kessler. Two minutes later, Abigail Taft secured a rebound and pushed it past O'Donnell for the second Brown tally. Sophomore Molly Caffrey scored her first goal of the season to even the score 2-2 at the 23:55 mark off a cross from Amanda Keller. Caffrey's goal ended the scoring for both teams in the first half.

Junior Marit Westenberg started the second half scoring three minutes in off a penalty corner by Melanie Leo. The goal marked Westenberg's second game winner of the season. She joins Sullivan and Nieuwenhuis who both have two game winning goals as well so far this season. The Westenberg, Leo combo was repeated nearly ten minutes later as Westenberg put Leo's penalty corner past the Bear's goalkeeper, giving the Stags a 4-2 advantage. The fourth tally marked Westenberg's second goal, and Leo's third assist on the afternoon. Senior Amanda Sullivan capped off Fairifeld's scoring in the last five minutes of regulation off a cross from Michelle Onofrio. Westenberg finished the game with two goals and an assist, while Keller and Onofrio each finished with one assist and Leo with three. Sullivan, Nieuwenhuis, and Caffrey all tallied a goal each.

Junior Caitlin O'Donnell and sophomore Maddy Sposito split time in goal. O'Donnell made two saves in the first half, while Sposito stopped three in the second half. The Stags outshot the Bears 17-12.

The Stags will continue play this weekend as they return to University Field for two games. They will begin conference play against America East foe Albany October 2 at 2pm, and then face St. Joseph's October 3 also at 2pm.