FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team topped cross-town foe Sacred Heart, 4-1, this afternoon at University Field. Sophomore Julie de Paeuw scored two goals for the Stags, who also received goals from senior Felicitas Heinen and sophomore Ann Burgoyne.

The Stags got off to a good start, with Kaitlyn Taddeo taking the first shot of the game at 3:17. At 6:15, Sacred Heart's Christine Mace found the back of the net, when she deflected a ball from Rachel Claroni, to put the Pioneers on the board. Play continued back and forth until Burgoyne netted the first goal for Fairfield, to tie the game at 1-1. The goal was scored off a pass from the left by Heinen at 24:10.

The Stags gained momentum, scoring two consecutive goals within three and a half minutes. The first was scored by Heinen, on a penalty stroke, at 26:22. The second goal was netted by de Paeuw, at 29:32. De Paeuw found the back of the net when she shot from the left side of the circle, giving Fairfield a two-goal lead. Neither team was able to score for the remainder of the first half, giving the Stags a 3-1 advantage heading into halftime.

Fairfield continued to dominate play in the second half, taking five shots, off of penalty corners. A stellar performance from the Stags' defense prevented Sacred Heart from taking even one shot during the entire second half. At 64:16, de Pauew netted her second goal of the game. The goal was scored when she deflected a shot from Heinen into the net. Despite one more shot from Taddeo, neither team was able to score again, sealing a final 4-1 victory for the Stags. 

Goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett and rookie Emma Ball, split time in the net for Fairfield. Ball faced four shots on the day, stopping three, while Sacred Heart's Mary Altepeter tallied four saves. The Stags outshot the Pioneers 16-9 and had a 6-4 advantage in penalty corners.

Fairfield (3-5) returns to University Field tomorrow, September 20, to host the Siena Saints at 2pm.