FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team will open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at home on Saturday, March 21 against Manhattan at 2:00 p.m. The game is the first of a doubleheader that will also feature Fairfield men's lacrosse against nationally-ranked Villanova at 5:30 p.m. Fairfield University will host the official dedication of Rafferty Stadium in-between the two games (approximately 4 p.m.) as a part of the day-long celebration of Fairfield lacrosse.
Faceoff For A Cause: The women's game is the first of the “Faceoff For A Cause” doubleheader that will also feature Fairfield men's lacrosse against nationally-ranked Villanova at 5:30 p.m. With a donation of $15, $20, or $30 fans will receive a specially designed hat or a t-shirt for the event, while supplies last. Fans can also bid on a variety of silent auction items including: a GoPro Camera, flat screen TV, motor scooter, and more. All items were donated by family and friends of the lacrosse programs and all funds raised go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project.
About the Wounded Warrior Project: The Wounded Warrior Project was established 11 years ago to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. The project's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. Tens of thousands of wounded service members, family members, and caregivers receive support each year through WWP programs.
Don't Miss Out: Both games of the lacrosse doubleheader will compete as Proud Supporters of the Wounded Warrior Project live on ESPN3 and SportsNet New York (SNY).
Fairfield (4-3) vs. Manhattan: The Stags are 15-5 all-time against the Jaspers in a series dating back to 1998. Fairfield is currently on an eight-game win streak against Manhattan. Last season, the Stags defeated the Jaspers, 12-6, on April 5 in Riverdale, N.Y. In that contest, Julieanne Mascera netted two goals for Fairfield who also received goals from Maeve Quinn and Colleen Reynolds. Goalkeeper Chelsey Sidaras manned the net for the Stags, making 10 saves.
Scouting the Jaspers: Manhattan is currently 2-5 on the season, and is coming off a 5-3 loss to Central Connecticut State last Saturday. The Jaspers have posted victories over Bucknell and UMass Lowell and have fallen to Wagner, Albany, Bryant, UMBC, and Central Connecticut State. Manhattan returns standouts Donna Jo DiNorcia and Stefanie Ranagan. Last season, DiNorcia scored 24 goals with eight assists for a total of 32 points while Ranagan tallied 17 goals with six assists to total 23 points. This year, DiNorcia is Manhattan's leading scorer, tallying 11 goals and three assists. Senior goalkeeper Christina Fiorinelli will be charged with keeping the ball out the net for the Jaspers. Fiorinelli has tallied 57 saves with a save percentage of .422.
Last Time Out: The Fairfield women's lacrosse team fell to the University of Connecticut, 6-4, on Wednesday, March 18 at Rafferty Stadium. In that contest, Courtney Chmil, Colleen Reynolds, Jamie Leone and Scarlett Sulliman found the back of the net for the Stags. Alex Fehmel, Jenna Fuchs and Maeve Quinn each notched an assist for Fairfield.
Ready for Rafferty: The Fairfield men's and women's lacrosse teams will celebrate their inaugural season at Rafferty Stadium throughout the spring of 2015. The construction of Rafferty Stadium was made possible through the generosity of Fairfield alumni, parents and friends. The stadium is named in recognition of the principal leadership gift from Larry Rafferty '64 and his family, and the field is named in recognition of a gift from Tim Conway '76 and family. Several other locations around the stadium are named to recognize major supporters and contributors to the project, who will be recognized along with additional donors on a plaque located inside the stadium.
Rafferty Stadium seats 3,500 fans in grandstands spanning both sidelines. The FieldTurf playing surface is complemented by state-of-the-art lighting, which provides optimal light levels for both competition and practice, and a Daktronics high-definition video scoreboard. In addition, the stadium includes a terrace level with a fully-enclosed press box that includes a large media suite, two VIP suites and a production suite to support the video capabilities of the scoreboard, television broadcasts and web streaming. On the ground level are two team rooms, food/beverage and apparel concessions, restrooms, a box office and entry plaza.
Looking Ahead: After tomorrow's contest, the women's lacrosse team will continue action at Rafferty Stadium. The Stags will host Holy Cross on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. before traveling to Loudonville, N.Y. to take on conference foe Siena on Saturday, March 28.
Run with the Stags: Fairfield lacrosse season ticket packages and individual game tickets are available now. For more information and for group rates, please contact the athletics ticket office at StagsTickets@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4136 or visit FairfieldStags.com/tix.
