FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team had a season to remember in 2015, enjoying successes both on and off the field.
Starting on the field, the team began its first season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Fairfield spent the past seven seasons in the America East Conference and made the move before the 2015 season. The team played a tough nonconference schedule including hosting national powers Delaware and Michigan in September. Fairfield was a strong offensive team all season long scoring 2.53 goals per game, which was second best in the conference. In MAAC play, they picked up their pace scoring 3.33 goals per game, tied for tops in the league. The Stags finished the regular season with an overall record of 7-9 and earned the fourth seed in the MAAC Tournament.
In the semifinals they matched up against top seed and host Monmouth University and avenged a regular season loss with a 2-1 victory. Junior Ann Burgoyne netted both goals for the Stags and the defense clamped down with Caitlin Bennett making eight saves in cage.
In the MAAC finals Fairfield battled the second seeded Quinnipiac Bobcats and shut them out for a 2-0 victory to win the championship and advance to NCAA Tournament. For the second game in a row it was the defense that gave the Stags the win and ultimately the championship. Sophomore defender Erin Buckley was named the tournament Most Valuable Player and was joined on the MAAC All-Championship Team by teammates Ann Burgoyne, Caitlin Bennett, and Julie de Paeuw.
By winning the MAAC Championship they qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001 and just the second time in program history. Fairfield drew Boston University in the Play-In Round and fell 6-1. Erin Buckley scored the lone goal for the Stags off a penalty corner in the 61st minute.
Off the field, Fairfield earned awards all season long. Ariane von Schenck and Ruth Smalbraak were each named the MAAC Rookie of the Week once during the season, while Caitlin Bennett was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
At the Postseason MAAC Award Show Fairfield was well represented taking home three major awards. Julie de Paeuw was named the 2015 MAAC Player of Year, Ann Burgoyne was named the 2015 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, and Ruth Smalbraak was named the 2015 MAAC Rookie of the Year. Burgoyne and de Paeuw were also selected to the All-MAAC First Team. And on the All-MAAC Second Team were Fairfield's Smalbraak, Erin Buckley, and Maclaine Matties.
Six more Fairfield student-athletes were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team in Corrine Baliga, Erin Buckley, Ann Burgoyne, Danielle Melchionna, Bridget Miles, and Kaitlyn Taddeo.
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association also announced their All-Mideast Region Teams in which Ann Burgoyne and Julie de Paeuw were each recognized. Burgoyne earned her second selection but first on the First Team while de Paeuw earned her first selection by being named to the Second Team.
