FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team drops to 7-8 on the season, 0-3 in conference this afternoon after facing America East opponent, No. 23 Albany.  The Stags dropped 3-1 with a standout performance by freshman Emily McCauley.  
 
The first half started with the Great Danes dominating play.  Albany kept possession for the first 20 minutes, taking ten shots before Fairfield was able to put on some pressure.  McCauley made a number of key steals in the first half but at the 17:27 mark, Corrine Mcconville took a penalty stroke and put it past goalkeeper Maddy Sposito to give Albany the 1-0 lead.  The Stags came alive after the goal and tied it up in the 22nd minute.  Hillary Fitts took a hard shot from the right side of the circle which was deflected by an Albany player into the goal and past goalkeeper Kristi Troch.  The Stags made two more shots before the end of the half but closed out the period with one apiece.
 
The second period Albany came out similarly to the first half.  At the 47:34 mark, Mcconville put another one on the board with assists by Jessica Longstreth and Daphne Voormolen.  Just two minutes later, Voormolen took a long shot and with a deflection from a Fairfield player, the ball went into the back of the net to give Albany the 3-1 lead.  The Stags were unable to come back from the deficit and finished the game with 11 shots and four corners. 
 
Fairfield will close out the weekend on Sunday as they host Georgetown (2-11, 0-2 Big East) on University Field at 1p.m.