NEWARK, Del. – The Fairfield University field hockey team fell to defending Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Champion Delaware, 2-1, this afternoon at Rullo Stadium. Rookie Jaclyn Gallagher netted her first collegiate goal, the lone goal for the Stags.

The scoring started early, with Delaware's Allie Mikelson putting the Blue Hens on the board at 9:50. The goal was scored off a penalty corner and was assisted by Esmee Peet and Meghan Winesett. At 15:07, the Stags began to change the momentum. Fairfield took four shots, off of two penalty corners, but was unable to find the back of the net. Delaware took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

The second half started much like the first, with the Blue Hens scoring within the first five minutes. Delaware's Michaela Patzner scored on a straight away at 37:28. The goal was assisted by Taylor Lister and gave the Blue Hens a 2-0 advantage. The Stags continued to battle for the next 18 minutes, until a goal from Gallagher put Fairfield on the board at 55:04. She scored on a shot taken from about 10 feet out, off a long pass from her right by Kaitlyn Taddeo. Despite four more shots from Delaware, neither team was able to score again, sealing a final 2-1 victory for the Blue Hens. 

Goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett faced six shots on the day, stopping four, while Delaware's Fran Orella tallied three saves. The Stags were outshot by the Blue Hens, 14-7, and Delaware had a slight 3-2 advantage in penalty corners.

Fairfield (4-7) returns to University Field on October 3, when the Stags open America East conference play against New Hampshire at 3pm.