NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Fairfield University field hockey came up one goal short in their game against Columbia University this afternoon, 4-3. 
 
Fairfield scored just under two minutes into the game when Shealyn Testa sent a pass from Nikki McLucas to the left side of the net.  The Stags added to their lead in the 24th minute, scoring off a corner.  Felicitas Heinen scored the goal from Val Buurma and Emily Leo.  Columbia's Gabby Kozlowski then cut the defecit to one when she scored just two minutes later on a pass from Katie DeSandis. 
 
The Stags entered the second period with a 2-1 lead but Columbia immediately put the pressure on Fairfield's defense.  Liz Malone scored just two minutes into the half, redirecting a shot off a Maddy Sposito save.  Malone added another goal ten minutes later when Paige Simmons sent a ball from the right corner.  Malone completed her hat trick at the 58:31 mark when Bridget DeSandis sent a long pass into the circle from about 30 yards out and Malone redirected the shot into the goal.  Heinen made it 4-3 when she converted a penalty stroke at 67:26.  Fairfield had two opportunities to tie the game as time expired on two corners, but the Stags' final shot went wide of the net.
 
Sposito tallied three saves on the day while the Stags' offense edged the Lions' in shots 17-16. 
 
Fairfield (6-4) returns to action and opens America East play on Friday, September 28 at 3pm on University Field as they host No. 16 New Hampshire.  The program will close out the weekend in Providence, R.I. against Brown on Sunday at noon.