The America East field hockey conference is one of the strongest in the country and is host to four nationally ranked teams.  Members of the conference include No. 12 Boston University, tied at No. 15 New Hampshire, No. 23 Albany, No. 24 Maine, Fairfield and Vermont.

Currently Boston University leads the conference with a 6-3 record but the Stags and Maine are just one game back, both with 6-4 records.  In the preseason poll, the Terriers beat out Albany by just one point for the one spot, receiving 23 points to the Great Danes' 22.  Rounding out the poll was Maine in the three spot with 16 points, New Hampshire with 14 points, followed by Fairfield (9) and Vermont (6).  Four teams will open conference play on Friday; both games scheduled for 3pm, Albany hosts Boston University and New Hampshire will face the Stags on University Field.  The Maine Black Bears will open at Vermont on Saturday at 1pm.

The New Hampshire Wildcats are 4-4 on the season last falling to No. 5 Connecticut in double overtime, 3-2.  The program's last win came on September 16, against No. 9 Northeastern in a 3-2 double overtime victory.  Junior forward Hannah Richard leads the team with 20 points (eight goals, four assists) and is nationally ranked ninth in both points per game (2.50) and goals per game (1.00).  Sophomore goalkeeper Carlie Tarbell has seen the majority of time at the net and owns a goals against average of 1.96 and a save percentage of .724.  As a team, the Wildcats are ranked No. 7 nationally in scoring average (3.74), goals per game (4.00), and points per game (10.50). 

The Stags (6-4) open conference play at home on University Field where they hold a 4-1 record thus far in the season.  Fairfield has outscored their opponents 22-17, outshot their opponents 150-104, and have taken 94 penalty corners to their opponents' 62.  Fairfield's penalty corners per game is good for second in the country (10.30).  The squad is also tied for eighth in shutouts per game (0.30), 28^th in points per game (7.40), and 16^th in assists per game (2.40). 

Sophomore defender Felicitas Heinen leads the team with 19 points breaking down to eight goals and three assists.  The Stag is nationally ranked 12^th in points per game (2.30) and tied for ninth in goals per game (1.00).  Second on the team with eight points, is sophomore forward Lindsey Hatch followed by junior Nikki McLucas with seven points (three goals, one assist).  Twelve different Stags have points on the season, eight of which have scored.  Valerie Buurma has been a standout for Fairfield on the back half with three defensive saves and timely steals.  Senior goalkeeper Maddy Sposito has played every minute at the net with a goals against average of 2.42 and a save percentage of .685. 

Fairfield will play No. 15 New Hampshire at 3pm on Friday and will close out the weekend on Sunday in Providence, R.I. at Brown University at 12pm.