FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team will continue league play and host Sacred Heart on Friday at 4:00 p.m. before travelling to West Long Branch to face MAAC leader Monmouth on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Fairfield (4-11, 2-1 MAAC) vs. Sacred Heart (0-13, 0-3 MAAC): The Stags are 11-4 all-time against the Pioneers. Last season, Fairfield earned a 1-0 victory on October 30.
A Look at the Pioneers: Sacred Heart has yet to earn a win this season and have started off league play with three consecutive losses. In their latest contest, the Pioneers fell to Bryant, 5-2, on Sunday. On the season, sophomore midfielder Rebecca Hauser leads her squad with four goals. Second on the team is junior midfielder Nichole Tolli with two goals. Sophomore Emily Degennaro has made 12 starts in cage this season and has 64 saves while posting a 4.06 goals against average.
Fairfield (4-11, 2-1 MAAC) vs. Monmouth (12-2, 3-0 MAAC): The Stags are 11-4 all-time against the Hawks. The Stags won the last matchup between the two sides which was a 2-1 win in the MAAC Championship Semifinals.
A Look at the Hawks: Monmouth enters the weekend unbeaten in MAAC play. The Hawks will host Bryant on Friday before welcoming the Stags to West Long Branch on Sunday. Junior defender Julie Laszlo leads her team and the conference with 30 points off 11 goals and eight assists this season. Meanwhile junior goalkeeper Christen Piersanti is the league leader in shutouts (7), goals against average (1.19), and save percentage (.781) in her 14 starts this season.
Last Time Out: Last weekend, Fairfield split a pair of conference matches. On Friday, the Stags travelled to Providence and fell 2-1 in overtime to the Bryant Bulldogs. Ann Burgoyne scored in the opening half, but Fairfield was unable to hold the lead as Bryant tied the score before the break and notched the game-winner just eight minutes into the extra period. On Sunday, Fairfield improved their league record to 2-1 with a 4-1 win at Siena. Erin Buckley scored twice, while Hannah Pike and Burgoyne each recorded a single goal.
Milestone Watch: Senior forward Ann Burgoyne has now compiled the most goals (52) and points (114) in Fairfield history. Julie de Paeuw can jump into the Top 10 this season as well, she has compiled 24 goals and 61 points over her career, ranking 8th on each of Fairfield's all-time lists. Goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett can add to her impressive career during her final season as a Stag. Currently she ranks third in games played (65), third in wins (28), third in winning percentage (.471), and sixth in goals against average (2.52).
Looking Ahead: Fairfield closes out their regular season next weekend with a non-conference matchup against William & Mary before wrapping up MAAC play against LIU Brooklyn on Senior Day.
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