FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team fell 3-2 to New Hampshire, in their America East Conference opener, this afternoon at University Field. Sophomore Ann Burgoyne scored both goals for Fairfield.

The Stags started off strong, taking the first four shots of the game, three of which followed from a penalty corner. At 17:17, Burgoyne put back a rebound to score the first goal of the game and put Fairfield on the board. About five minutes later, New Hampshire's Lindsey Nerbonne scored off a penalty corner to tie the game at 1-1. The goal was assisted by Meg Flatley and Kellie Joyce.

New Hampshire had a 2-1 advantage at 24:54 after a goal by the Wildcats' leading scorer Meg Flatley. The goal was scored off a pass across the circle by Emma Compagna and gave New Hampshire their first lead of the game. Despite two more shots from the Stags and six from the Wildcats, neither team was able to score for the remainder of the period. New Hampshire had a 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.

The second half started much like the first with a second goal from Burgoyne about five minutes in. She deflected a pass from Emily McCauley into the top right corner of the net to tie the game at 2-2. Over the next 20 minutes, both teams continued to play with intensity. Fairfield took two shots while New Hampshire recorded five but due to great defensive efforts by both teams, neither was able to score. At 60:56, New Hampshire's Meg Carroll deflected the ball into the goal to give the Wildcats a one-goal lead. The Stags continued to battle but were unable to find the back of the net, yielding a final 3-2 victory for New Hampshire. 

Goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett got the starting nod for the Stags and faced 19 shots, stopping a career-high 16. New Hampshire's Carlie Tarbell tallied nine saves. The Stags were out-shot 23-13 and the Wildcats had a 10-4 advantage in penalty corners.

Fairfield (4-8) returns to University Field on October 5 as the Stags host the Lehigh Mountain Hawks at 2pm.