FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team will open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play when the Stags host Niagara University on March 29 at noon.

Fairfield (5-3) vs. Niagara (3-4): The Stags are 16-0 all-time against the Purple Eagles since 1997. Last season, Courtney Chmil and Maeve Quinn tallied three goals apiece to lead Fairfield to an 18-7 win over Niagara on their home field. Fairfield never trailed in the game as Chmil netted the opening goal of the game 44 seconds into the contest. 

Scouting the Purple Eagles: Niagara split last week's games and is coming off a 19-9 loss to Albany. Junior attack Carrie-Jo Farrugia was named the MAAC Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after posting a career-high 7 points in Niagara's 18-13 victory over St. Bonaventure on March 20. She struck for a season-high four goals and three assists. Farrugia is the Purple Eagles' leading scorer this season with 14 goals. Maria Battista follows, tallying 12 goals while Hannah Barnett is next with 11.

Last Time Out: Fairfield was last in action on March 26 when they defeated Sacred Heart, 14-10. Melanie Raso scored four goals for Fairfield while Jenna Slowey netted three. Jamie Leone and Colleen Reynolds scored two apiece and the Stags also received goals from Julieanne Mascera, Riley Hellstein, and Alex Fehmel.

She's in Control: Senior Melanie Raso is four draw controls away from setting the new career standard at Fairfield. Raso enters this game with 138 career draw controls and is approaching the program record of 141 set by Chloe Mangan last season. Raso is also in the Stags' career top-10 in points (142) and goals (111). She also has eight game-winning goals during her career, two away from tying the program record.

Looking Ahead: The Stags will continue conference play on the road. Fairfield will stop at Iona on Wednesday, April 2 before traveling to Manhattan on April 5.