FAIRFIELD, Conn. – They're back! For the first time this season, the Stags will host an opponent as they open up play at a new-look Lessing Field this weekend when the program hosts the Fairfield Invitational. This is the second regular season tournament held on the Fairfield campus in the last three seasons. The Stags will compete in their home opener on Friday at 7:30pm against Drexel. Fairfield will then take on in-state rival Central Connecticut on Sunday at 2pm. The tournament starts on Friday when the Blue Devils take on Stony Brook.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Stags split their opening weekend on the road, falling 1-0 to Maine before defeating Wagner 2-1. Karolyn Collins scored both tallies for the Stags in the victory against the Seahawks. Collins has now scored all four of her career goals in her last five matches, including the last three scored by the Stags dating back to last year's MAAC Championship Match. Jenna Pike earned her first collegiate starts in goal, picking up 11 saves over the weekend. The sophomore racked up a career-high six saves in the loss to Maine. Pam Coufos dished her seventh career assist while Kelsey Burke tabbed her first career assist.
HOME SWEET HOME: Home is where the wins are for the Fairfield Stags. Since 2012, the Stags are unbeaten in 21 of their last 22 matches on campus. Fairfield had a 19-match unbeaten streak that was ended last season. The Stags came close entering the NCAA record book with that run, needing just two more matches to tie the 24th longest streak in NCAA history. Lessing Field might look a bit different for Fairfield fans this season. This tournament will introduce the brand-new video scoreboard, where video, graphics, and other in-game entertainment will be featured.
STAGS IN HOME OPENERS: Over the 24 seasons of the program, the Stags have a 16-5-2 record in their first home match of the season. The last loss came in 2012, when Fairfield dropped a 1-0 decision to St. Joseph's.
FAIRFIELD V. DREXEL: This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
THE SCOUTING REPORT ON THE DRAGONS: Drexel also comes into the weekend after splitting their opening weekend with a win over Villanova and a loss to Buffalo. The scores for both of those matches were 1-0. Drexel was picked to finish sixth in the CAA during the Preseason Coaches Poll. The Dragons return two All-CAA honorees from last season including Lauren Stollar (Third Team) and Madison Dunn (All-Rookie). Through two matches, freshman Vanessa Kara scored the lone goal while Eve Badana recorded nine saves.
FAIRFIELD V. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT: The Stags have struggled against the Blue Devils, with a 4-5 overall record against their in-state rivals. Fairfield's last win came in 1999 when the Stags defeated the Blue Devils 4-2. CCSU has won the last five matches in the series, including a 3-0 shutout last season.
THE SCOUTING REPORT ON THE BLUE DEVILS: Central Connecticut State will open their 2015 campaign this weekend. The defending NEC Champions, the Blue Devils were picked to win the conference in the Preseason Poll, their highest finish in the Coaches Poll since 2009. CCSU loses their leading scorer and the NEC Player of the Year in Tori Sousa, but returns last year's NEC Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year in Jennifer Cafferky. Nicki Turley, the NEC Goalkeeper of the Year will also return in between the pipes this season.
TICKETS: General admission for any match of the tournament is $5.00, with tickets for seniors and children under 12 marked at $3.00. Tickets for fans coming to the match with a group of 10 people or more are also $3.00.
UP NEXT: Fairfield will continue their seven-game home stand when they welcome host Towson on Friday at 7pm.
