FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After competing in a program record 10 home matches in the 2015 season, the Stags will play in one final one. The Stags host in-state rival Quinnipiac on Wednesday at 7pm as they close out the home portion of their schedule.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Stags went toe-to-toe with conference leading Monmouth on the road, but were edged 2-1 on the Hawks' Senior Night. Cassidy Boegel's fourth goal of the season tied the game at 1-1 midway through the first half. The Stags surrendered the eventual game-winner in the 51st minute when MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Rachel Ivanicki headed in a free kick to give the home side a 2-1 lead. The Stags had their chances in the final minute of the contest, registering four of the final five shots. However, goalkeeper Sydney Lavan stopped all those attempts and finished with seven saves.
YOUR DAILY BOEGEL: With her goal against Monmouth, junior Cassidy Boegel is now tied for the team lead with four goals this season. Boegel led the team in scoring with nine goals last season, and now leads all active players with 14 career scores. Boegel seems to step up in MAAC play, tallying three goals in her last five contests. All-time, Boegel has scored 11 of her 14 career goals in MAAC play.
GETTING THE SHOTS: The Stags have run into some bad luck on the offensive side this season. Despite scoring 10 fewer goals than their opponents (34-24), Fairfield has taken more shots on goal than their opposition (120-110). Four times this season, the opposing goalkeeper has registered a career-high in saves against the Stags. Katelyn Murphy had eight saves for Wagner, Rachel Brightman had nine saves for Bryant, Taylor Rice had 13 for Iona, and Liz Rogan had 10 stops for Siena. The Stags have taken 7.50 shots on goal per contest this season, which is second in the MAAC and 48th in the country.
FAIRFIELD VS QUINNIPIAC: Despite being separated by fewer than 30 miles, this will be only the third time the two teams face each other (all coming in MAAC play). The Stags have never lost to the Bobcats (1-0-1 all-time), taking a 4-1 win last season and a 0-0 draw in 2013. Boegel was the hero in the last match, scoring two goals in the victory with Karolyn Collins notching two assists to lead the passing. Despite the score, both teams played pretty even, with Fairfield edging Quinnipiac 10-9 in shots and 4-3 on corner kicks. Both squads recorded three shots on goal.
THE QUINNIPIAC SCOUTING REPORT: The Bobcats (like the Stags) are fighting for the sixth-place in the MAAC, which would clinch a playoff appearance. Coming into the game, the Bobcats trail Siena by a single point with three games left to play. Nadya Gill, who could be the MAAC Rookie of the Year, leads the team with five goals and 13 points. Four of those goals were game-winners (most coming early in the season). Jess Fontaine is tops on the team with five assists and is among three players to notch four goals this season. Natalia Grodzki is the Bobcats' keeper and has played in every minute this season. She holds an 1.79 goals against average and a .690 save percentage.
UP NEXT: The Stags hit the road for the final two matches of the season, starting with a game against Rider on Saturday at 1pm.
