FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team defeated Villanova, 4-2, this afternoon at University Field. The victory is the first at home for the Stags this year. Senior Felicitas Heinen and sophomore Ann Burgoyne scored two goals apiece for Fairfield.

The Stags started off strong, taking the first two shots of the game. At 11:02, Heinen scored the first goal of the game to put Fairfield on the board. Just one minute later, Burgoyne scored off a breakaway about 35 yards out to give the Stags a 2-0 advantage.

Villanova answered with a goal by Maddy Harding, making the score 2-1. Harding scored off a penalty corner and the goal was assisted by Abigail Freitag and Lauren Wilson. Play continued with neither team having a solid opportunity to score until the Wildcats' Jessica Swoboda found the back of the net on a penalty stroke at 27:03. The game was tied 2-2 heading into halftime.

The second half started much like the first with a second goal from Heinen about five minutes in, making the score 3-2 in favor of Fairfield. Both teams continued to battle over the next 25 minutes but neither team was able to score until Burgoyne netted her second goal of the game when she put back a rebounded shot that deflected off the post. The goal was scored at 66:07 and was assisted by Kaitlyn Taddeo. Despite six more shots from Villanova in the remaining four minutes, the Stags' defense was able to prevent the Wildcats from scoring, sealing a final 4-1 victory for Fairfield.  

Goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett and rookie Emma Ball, who made her collegiate debut, split time in the net for Fairfield. Bennett faced five shots on the day, stopping two, while Ball tallied six saves to earn her first win. Villanova's Jordyn Clipstone tallied eight saves. The Stags slightly outshot the Wildcats 20-19 while Villanova had a 9-4 advantage in penalty corners.

Fairfield (2-1) returns to University Field on September 7 for its second home contest against Drexel at 1pm.