FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team will look to keep its record away from home unblemished as they travel for two games this weekend. The Stags take on La Salle on Friday at 4:00 pm and then travel to Harvard for a 2:00 pm game on Sunday.
Fairfield (4-4) vs. La Salle (3-6): The Stags are 1-2-1 all-time against the Explorers. The last matchup between the two sides was at home on September 15, 2013 when the Stags claimed a 5-3 win.
A Look at the Explorers: La Salle is 3-6 this season and is led offensively by sophomore midfielder Eileen Dzwill and junior forward Abbey Lawrence. Dzwill is the team leader with seven points this season and Lawrence is second with six points. Each has scored three goals this season. The Explorers have a total of 14 goals on the season to go along with 13 assists. Junior goalkeeper Rachel Hartman has started all nine games this season and has recorded 44 saves. She also posts a 1.89 goals against average, putting her at 28th best in the country.
Fairfield vs. Harvard (5-2): The Stags are 0-3 all-time against the Crimson. The last matchup between the two sides was last season at home when the Stags fell 3-0.
A Look at the Crimson: Harvard is currently on a four game winning streak and has started Ivy League play with a 2-1 win over Yale. The Crimson will have their second league game before Sunday as they host Penn on Saturday. Senior back Elizabeth Jacobson is the team leader with 16 points off six goals and four assists. Leading the team with seven goals is junior forward Marissa Balleza. Senior Issy Davies has started all seven games in cage this season, posting a 1.92 goals against average and 26 saves.
Last Time Out: The field hockey team improved to 3-0 on the road this season with a 4-2 victory over Providence on Sunday. The Stags found themselves down 1-0 just 10 minutes into the game, but Fairfield would have an answer. Ruth Smalbraak sent in a shot that was deflected into the net past keeper Megan Guilbert by Ann Burgoyne to notch the game at 1-1. Just one minute later Jaclyn Gallagher found the back of the net when she dribbled on the left baseline and was able to beat the keeper with a tremendous low angle shot.
The Friars would tie the game at 2-2 before the end of the half. Out the break, Jamie Appelberg got in on the scoring action as she reclaimed the lead for Fairfield. The sophomore collected a pass from Maclaine Matties inside the circle and fired a shot over the keeper to take a 3-2 advantage. Then, Erin Buckley gave Fairfield a two goal cushion as she scored her first career goal for the Stags in the 50th minute.
Defensive Player of the Week: Caitlin Bennett was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Week for her performance in last week's contests. The Stags played Hofstra to a 3-2 defeat on Wednesday and then topped Providence 4-2 on Sunday. Bennett started both games for the Stags this past week and recorded 18 saves. The junior is the backbone of a defense that defended against 31 shots and 23 penalty corners this past week. She has taken over the starting role for Fairfield after the first game of the season, and has recorded 45 saves.
National Notice: Junior forward Ann Burgoyne sits 22nd in the nation with 0.88 goals per game. Burgoyne has seven goals on the season thus far and leads the team in that category. Junior goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett also finds her name among the nation's best, tied for 12th with 6.43 saves per game.
Looking Ahead: After the weekend, the Stags will play their first MAAC game when they host Monmouth on Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 pm.
