FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The four-member Class of 2016 have combined to play in 146 games, but this match on Saturday, might have a bigger personal meaning than the others. Before the 1pm kickoff against Marist, the Stags will honor Karolyn Collins, Sarah Gerali, Emily Wieczorek, and Sophia DeVita for their accomplishments and their hard work to help the program grow. In total, the 'Core Four' as the team affectionately refers to them as, have won 41 matches, including 24 conference victories, with a .758 winning percentage in the MAAC.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Stags are coming off a tough 4-3 loss against Iona, despite out-shooting the Gaels 39-10 in the match. The Stags got on the board first when Cassidy Boegel touched the net in the seventh minute, but from there the Gaels would score four unanswered goals including three in a 20 minute span in the second stanza. The Stags would try and answer back with a goal from Collins and a penalty strike from Anna Borea, but the hole was too deep to climb out of. Out of the 39 shots, 17 were on goal and four hit the post.
CELEBRATE THE SENIORS: Collins, Gerali, Wieczorek, and DeVita have combined to help the Stags to 41 overall wins with 24 victories in the conference. The Stags have won nearly 76 percent of their MAAC matches since this senior class walked on campus. The three position players have scored nine total goals, including two game-winning tallies. They have also dished out 13 assists. In goal, DeVita has 14 career saves. As a program, the senior class was part of two-straight MAAC Championship Finals appearances and was unbeaten in 21 of their first 23 home games.
OFFENSIVE OUTPUT: The three goals against Iona was the second-straight time the Stags have recorded at least three goals in a contest. It is now the third-straight season where the Stags have gone back-to-back contests with at least three goals. Last season, the Stags accomplished the feat in three-straight matches, which is tied for second in program history. The 1998 squad tallied three or more goals in six-straight contests. The 39 shots against the Gaels was also two shots shy of tying a Lessing Field record (41 against Saint Peter's on October 8, 2014).
FAIRFIELD VS MARIST: The Stags have won back-to-back matches against the Red Foxes, after Marist's championship runs in 2012. The victory in 2013 was the first time the Stags had won a game in the series dating back to 2008. The five draws that Fairfield has recorded against Marist are tied for the second most ties of any other opponent (Fairfield has drawn eight times against Loyola). Fairfield holds a 5-3-2 record at home against Marist.
THE MARIST SCOUTING REPORT: Marist comes into the match with a 3-2 conference record including wins in three of their last four games. The Red Foxes have already been tested this season, coming off a double overtime thriller on Wednesday and have been a part of six one goal games this season. The time to get Marist is in the second half when opponents are outscoring the Red Foxes 13-6 (opponents have only scored seven first half goals against Marist this year). Kristen Reilly leads the team with four goals including the game-winner with six seconds remaining against Quinnipiac. In goal, Makala Foley has made seven starts in net with 1.22 goals against average and a .804 save percentage.
UP NEXT: The Stags will hit the road for four of their final five matches, starting with a Wednesday night game against Siena at 7pm.
