FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield men's and women's cross country teams begin their 2015 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Marist Season Opener. In addition to the host Red Foxes, the field includes MAAC opponents Iona and Siena as well as the CAA's Hofstra Pride.

Under the direction of second-year head coach Brendan Rickert, both Stags' teams will rely heavily on their retuning harriers this season but will also introduce several newcomers who could make an immediate impact.

The men's program welcomes back eight student-athletes from the 2014 squad, including the trio that paced the Stags at the MAAC Championship last fall – Sam Daly, Nolan Parsley and Dan DeBlock. All three runners were among the top-25 finishers at the meet, guiding Fairfield to a sixth-place performance. The Stags will also bring eight freshmen into the fold this season.

Fairfield women's cross country placed ninth last season at the MAAC Championship. Among the 11 returners for 2015, Jacqueline-Ann Willsey was the Stags' top finisher in the conference meet. Seven newcomers will join the Stags this fall.

The Marist Season Opener begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.