FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team edged the University of Vermont, 10-9, this afternoon on Alumni Field.

Melanie Raso and Colleen Reynolds scored three goals apiece for the Stags, who also received goals from Julieanne Mascera, Courtney Chmil, and Jenna Slowey.

Vermont took an early lead when Karli MacKendrick netted the first two goals of the game at 28:47 and 25:08. Fairfield answered with consecutive goals by Mascera at 24:11 and 20:03, to tie the game 2-2. About a minute later, Lucy Mower scored and returned the lead to the Catamounts. However, a goal by Raso at 15:37 retied the game at 3-3.

Fairfield took the lead for the first time when Reynolds netted her first goal of the game at 13:12. She then pushed the Stags' lead to 6-3 by scoring two more goals at 6:24 and 5:36. Vermont battled back, tallying two more goals in the half, but were unable to catch the Stags who took a 6-5 lead into halftime.    

Fairfield came out strong in the second half, scoring four consecutive goals. The first goal was scored by Chmil at 25:17. Raso netted the next two goals, at 24:07, and off a free position shot at 21:23. The fourth was scored by Slowey, off a pass from Mascera, giving the Stags a 10-5 lead with just 12 minutes left in regulation.

Vermont answered by scoring the next four goals of the game. The first two were scored by Sydney Mas, off of free position shots, at 7:24 and 5:34. The final two were scored by Jessica Roach at 1:21 and with 55 seconds left in the game. The Catamounts were unable to get off a shot in the remaining time, sealing a 10-9 win for the Stags.

Sophomore Chelsey Sidaras manned the net for Fairfield, making nine saves, while Vermont's Mackenzie Maher tallied six.

Despite the Catamounts having a slight 18-16 advantage in ground balls, the Stags had a 12-9 advantage in draw controls. Throughout the entire game, Fairfield caused 10 turnovers while Vermont caused nine.

For Vermont, MacKendrick tallied two goals and three ground balls. Mas and Roach scored two goals apiece while Marino tallied one goal, two ground balls, and an assist for the Catamounts.

Fairfield (3-2) continues action on the road, stopping at New Hampshire on March 14 at 3pm, followed by UConn on March 22 at 1pm.