It's often said that defense wins championships. But any coach will also tell you that having some offense helps as well. In the case of the Fairfield University field hockey team, both components have come together in 2011, propelling the Stags toward one of their best seasons in school history.

                Fairfield brings a four-game winning streak into Friday's match up with the College of the Holy Cross. The Stags own a 6-2 overall record and look for their seventh victory against a tenacious Crusader team, a program which has produced a solid rivalry going back to when both teams competed together in the Patriot League.

                Head Coach Jackie Kane has carefully put each piece of the Stags puzzle in place, working the edges before tackling the interior. She is receiving contributions from each class, including a pair of first-year defenders who have been an integral part of the defense.

                “Felicitas (Heinen) and Valerie (Buurma) have been huge for us despite playing their first year of college field hockey,” Kane said. “They have stepped in and helped stabilize our defense, complimenting the experience that we have with players like Michelle (Loor), Hillary Fitts, and Shealyn (Testa).”

                The Stags have posted three shutouts this season, and have held the opposition scoreless for 113 consecutive minutes which includes back-to-back shutouts against Lehigh and Sacred Heart. Fairfield has surrendered multiple goals in a game just twice. Both of those teams were in the national poll when they played Fairfield with Drexel earning the number 18 ranking and Hofstra receiving votes in the poll.

                The team has also been solid offensively, scored multiple goals in all but one game this year. Marit Westenberg, who entered the season ranked among Fairfield's top ten in points, goals, and assists, leads the team with five goals and three assists for 13 points. Heinen shares the team lead for assists with Westenberg, and places second among her teammates with nine points. She has two game-winning goals to her credit this year, and earned the America East Rookie of the Week award on September 19.

                “Marit has not only created scoring opportunities for herself and the team, but she has also finished many of those chances,” Kane said. “We have also had other players step up and help out offensively. Most recently, Christy Starsinic's two-goal game against Sacred Heart was important because it showed we have more than one player who can score goals.”

                And not to be forgotten, the Stags have received outstanding play from the goalkeepers, namely senior Caitlin O'Donnell and junior Maddy Sposito. The duo has combined for three shutouts and impressive statistics such as a 1.12 goals against average and a .769 save percentage.

                Fairfield will begin conference play on Friday, September 30 when it travels to the University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats are currently ranked eighth in the country, one of three America East teams in the top 25 poll. But with the recent success feeding the team's confidence, the Stags are looking forward to competing in one of the top field hockey conferences in the country.

                “Most of our success can be traced back to our senior leadership,” Kane said. “Marit Westenberg, Leah Furey, Caitlin O'Donnell, and Hilary Burns really established the foundation of the success we are experiencing today.”