FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team fell in a high scoring matchup to Columbia University. The Lions defeated the Stags by a score of 7-4. It was the second game in a row in which Fairfield scored four goals, but was once again unable to claim the win.

 It was Ann Burgoyne who gave the early lead to Fairfield. In the ninth minute Jamie Appelberg and Burgoyne found themselves on a two on one breakaway with only the goalie to beat. Appelberg passed to the open Burgoyne who put the Stags up 1-0.

 Columbia answered in a big way though, by scoring the next four goals. In a span of less than 15 minutes, the Lions took a 4-1 lead. Two of those goals came from the stick of Katie Ruesterholz who finished the day with a hat trick.

 The Stags got one back before halftime off a Kaitlyn Taddeo penalty corner. Burgoyne was the benefactor as she found herself on the end of a string of passes that led to her second goal of the day. For Burgoyne it marked the second consecutive game with two goals.

 The Lions started the scoring in the second stanza with some quick passing inside the circle. Anna Scipioni received a Maeve Doherty pass and rifled it past the keeper to take a 5-2 lead.

 Fairfield got the next two as they cut the Columbia lead to just one. Erin Buckley gathered a rebound off the keeper to score the third goal, while Julie de Paeuw scored the fourth goal after she collected a loose ball.

 That would end the scoring for the Stags as the Lions took back momentum and tacked on two more to end the game with a 7-4 victory.

 The Scarlet and Black outshot Columbia 15-11 and had 10 penalty corners on the day. Both Caitlin Bennett and Emma Singer saw action in cage, totaling three saves. Erin Buckley added a defensive save, to give her two for the season.

 The Stags closed out non-conference play today and ended with a 4-6 record for out of conference games. The majority of the victories came on the road, with Fairfield having just one victory at University Field.

 The next two matchups will again be at University Field as they close out their home stand with two MAAC games. Fairfield will host Bryant on Friday and Siena on Sunday for Senior Day.