FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Forward Ann Burgoyne scored three goals and Caitlin Bennett joined Emma Ball to record a combined shutout as the Fairfield University field hockey team posted a 4-0 win over Lehigh University on Sunday afternoon at University Field.

It did not take long for the Stags to make a statement in this game, wanting to make something happen fast and furiously against the visiting Mountain Hawks. Fairfield did just that as Emily McCauley and Burgoyne combined for the game's first goal just 33 seconds into the game.

“Our goal was to make something happen in the first five minutes and the team took that to heart,” Head Coach Jackie Kane said. “I think it was a statement for the players after Friday.”

The Stags dropped their America East opener to New Hampshire by a 3-2 score following a late second-half goal two days ago. But there was no hangover effect in this game as the Stags applied pressure in waves. At the crest of each of those waves was Burgoyne, who finished three scoring chances in brilliant fashion.

Her second goal was all done on her creativity as she secured the ball 25 yards from goal. She dribbled and deked her way past three Lehigh defenders, eventually finding open space in the center of the circle. She released a shot that went by the charging goalkeeper and caught the far corner of the cage to put the Stags in front 2-0.

Goal number three was a matter of Burgoyne positioning herself in the right place at the right time, collecting a rebound and pushing it past the goalkeeper for her third goal on four shots. Her offensive play allowed Fairfield to grab a 3-0 halftime lead, despite only holding two-shot advantage (8-6) and trailing in penalty corners by a 4-1 margin.

Anytime Lehigh managed to set up a threat, the Stags quickly extinguished those threats through the play of Felicitas Heinen and Valerie Buurma up front and Bennett in the goal. Bennett finished the half with two saves and yielded to freshman Ball after halftime.

Fairfield had several second half opportunities as well with Emily Leo being the one who provided the most suspense. Leo just missed a goal midway through the second half when she carried the ball into the circle from the right side and unleashed a shot that just missed the far corner of the goal. A few minutes later, she finished the next scoring chance when she one-timed a rebound past the goalkeeper to make it a 4-0 Fairfield lead.

Ball finished her time in goal with two saves, completing the combined shutout with Bennett. Lehigh also split the game between two goalkeepers as Julia Ward made three first-half saves before Katie Morris registered two stops in the second half.

“This was a total team effort,” Kane said. “I think everybody was in the game so everyone contributed to our win. That's the best part of today, seeing everyone make a contribution on the field.”

The Stags return to action on October 10 when they return to America East play by heading to the University of Maine on October 10. The team returns home on October 12 for a non-conference match up with Harvard University at University Field. Game time is 1 pm.