Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team won its season opener on Saturday afternoon, beating Saint Joseph's University by a 2-0 score on the road. The game was played on the campus of Drexel University, the same place where Fairfield will play nationally-ranked Drexel on Monday.

The win was Fairfield's first season-opening victory since the 2005 campaign when the Stags defeated the University of Massachusetts on the road.

Fairfield opened the scoring quickly when Marit Westenberg tipped in a shot which was initiated off a penalty corner, beating goalkeeper Liz Messaros for a 1-0 lead. The one-goal edge last nearly the entire game until the Stags broke through in the second half .

Nikki McLucas worked her way through traffic in the circle and found Sarah Wickles open on the far side of the goal. Wickles converted the pass from McLucas for her first collegiate goal in her first career game. The freshman came to Fairfield after scoring more than 100 goals in her high school career.

Goalkeeper Caitlin O'Donnell earned the start in the season opener and responded with a shutout. The senior faced seven shots and was forced to make one save.  O'Donnell recorded one shutout in her five appearances a year ago.