STANFORD, Calif. – The Fairfield University field hockey team fell to California, 2-1, in overtime this afternoon at Varsity Turf. Ann Burgoyne scored the lone goal for the Stags while goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett made five saves.

California took the first six shots of the game, off of penalty corners, which were blocked by the Stags' defense. Bennett tallied her first save at 5:49. After a two more shots from the Golden Bears, play continued with neither team having a solid opportunity to score for the next ten minutes.

Burgoyne put Fairfield on the board when she scored off a pass from Julie de Paeuw at 26:09. Burgoyne shot straight ahead after receiving the pass from her left. The Stags continued to battle on offense, with a shot from Felicitas Heinen, off a penalty corner, but were unable to score again. Fairfield took a 1-0 advantage into halftime.

Fairfield started off strong in the second half with another shot from Burgoyne only five minutes in. At 48:20, Cal's Alie Zimmer tied the game at 1-1 when she scored off a scrum in front of the net. The goal was assisted by Nicole Henriksson. Despite three more shots apiece for the Stags and the Golden Bears, neither team was able to score again in regulation. About two and a half minutes into overtime, an unassisted second goal by Zimmer made the final score 2-1 in favor of California.

Bennett faced seven shots on the day, stopping five, while Cal's Courtney Hendrickson made three saves. The Stags were out-shot 16-7 and Cal had a 7-2 advantage in penalty corners. Freshmen Marta Laginja, Bridget Miles, Corrine Baliga, and Danielle Melchionna made their collegiate debut.

Fairfield (0-1) are back in action on August 31 when the Stags take on UC-Davis at 3pm. Fairfield returns to University Field on September 5 for its home opener against Villanova at 4pm.