FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team will continue Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at home on Wednesday, April 1 against Iona. The game is slated for 3:00 p.m. at Rafferty Stadium.
Fairfield (7-3; 2-0 MAAC) vs. Iona: The Stags are 12-0 all-time against the Gaels in a series dating back to 2005. Fairfield is currently on an twelve-game win streak against Iona. Last season, the Stags defeated the Gaels, 16-4, on April 2 in New Rochelle, N.Y. In that contest, Riley Hellstein netted a hat trick while Alex Fehmel scored twice for the Stags also received goals from Julieanne Mascera, Kaitlyn Arnold, and Colleen Reynolds.
Scouting the Gaels: Iona is currently 4-6 on the season, and is coming off a 10-7 loss to Niagara last Saturday. The Gaels have posted victories over Sacred Heart, UMass Lowell, St. Bonaventure, and Wagner and have fallen to Central Connecticut State, Brown, Temple, Albany, Marist, and Niagara. Iona returns standouts Mary Kate McCormick and Erin Pugh. Last season, McCormick scored 20 goals with 16 assists for a total of 36 points while Pugh tallied 25 goals with three assists to total 28 points. This year, Erin Pugh is Iona's leading scorer, tallying 30 goals and one assists.Senior goalkeeper Blaire Nathanson will be charged with keeping the ball out the net for the Gaels. Nathanson has tallied 95 saves with a save percentage of .470.
Last Time Out: The Fairfield women's lacrosse was last in action on Saturday, March 28 when the Stags posted an 11-7 victory over conference foe Siena in Loudonville, N.Y. In that contest, junior Julieanne Mascera and sophomore Riley Hellstein each recorded hat tricks while sophomore Alex Fehmel added two tallies. Fairfield also received goals from Colleen Reynolds, Jamie Leone, and Jenna Fuchs. Mascera, Reynolds, and Courtney Chmil each recorded an assist.
National Notice: Entering the week, the Stags are among the national statistical leaders in several categories. Junior goalie Chelsey Sidaras is ranked third in save percentage (0.567) and sixth in goals against average (6.23). Senior Meghan Reda is tied for eighth in ground balls per game (3.20). As a team, Fairfield is ranked second in saves percentage (.567), fifth in scoring defense (6.50), tied for 25th in win percentage (.700), and is tied for 26th in ground balls per game (17.90).
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.
It's Not Too Late: Last weekend was the Stags' second annual “Faceoff For A Cause” doubleheader, where men's and women's lacrosse fundraised and competed as Proud Supporters of the Wounded Warrior Project. Fans can still make a donation of $15, $20, or $30 and receive a specially designed hat or t-shirt commemorating the event, while supplies last. All funds raised go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project. Please email fairfieldlacrossewwp@gmail.com if interested in making a donation.
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.
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.
