Box Score


FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University field hockey team edged Columbia University, 4-3, this afternoon at University Field. Seniors Nikki McLucas, Hillary Fitts, and Shealyn Testa scored along with junior Felicitas Heinen to clinch the Stags' fifth straight win.

The game got off to an early start when Columbia's Katie Ruesterholz scored the first goal around four minutes into the first half. Fairfield answered with a goal off a penalty corner, scored by McLucas and assisted by Heinen. The game was tied 1-1 heading into halftime.

The second half started much like the first with a goal from Columbia off a penalty stroke at 40:30. Fairfield tied the game, 2-2, with a goal by Heinen off a penalty corner at 61:54. The goal was assisted by Valerie Buurma and Testa.

The Stags stepped up and dominated play for the rest of the second half. Less than a minute after the game-tying goal, Fairfield took the lead when Fitts netted a goal from the left circle at 62:29. The Stags extended their lead, 4-2, when Testa scored the game-winning goal from the left circle off a pass from Kaitlyn Taddeo. Columbia battled back, scoring their third goal from a shot straight on by Ruesterholz at 67:05. However, the Stags were able to keep the ball out of the net for the last three minutes, ending the game with a final score 4-3.

Bennett faced six shots on the day, saving three, while Columbia's Kimberly Pianucci totaled ten. The Stags out-shot the Lions 23-10 and had an 11-3 advantage in penalty corners.

Fairfield (8-2) continues play on the road, stopping at Vermont, for their first America East game on October 5, and Harvard on October 13.