FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team will host their first MAAC game of the season on Friday against Rider at 4:00 p.m. Then the Stags will host Villanova on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. for their "Herd to a Cure" game.
Fairfield (1-10, 0-0 MAAC) vs. Rider (6-5, 0-0 MAAC): The Stags are 4-15 all-time against the Broncs. Last season, Fairfield fell in Lawrenceville 5-4.
A Look at the Broncs: Rider is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to Columbia last Sunday. Freshman forward Daane Koch leads the squad and the MAAC with 23 points this season off nine goals and five assists. Freshman goalkeeper Grace Huff has made the last three starts for the Broncs earning two wins and one shutout. The rookie has 10 saves and posts a 1.59 goals against average. The pair of freshman have combined to win five conference Player of the Week awards. Koch was named Rookie of the Week three times and Offensive Player of the Week once, while Huff has one Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Fairfield (1-10) vs. Villanova (3-9): The Stags are 2-2 all-time against the Wildcats. The Cardinal Red have won the last two matchups between the two sides, including last season's 2-1 victory at Villanova.
A Look at the Wildcats: Villanova is coming off a 7-0 win over MAAC member LIU Brooklyn last Sunday. The Wildcats will take on top-ranked UConn on Friday before visiting Fairfield on Sunday. Junior forward Francesca Bello leads her team with 19 points off seven goals and five assists. Senior midfielder Kristen Mericle is tops on the squad with six assists and second with 14 points. In cage, sophomore Erika Miller has made all 12 starts. She has 64 saves and posts a 3.42 goals against average this season.
Last Time Out: Fairfield welcomed Providence to University Field last Sunday and fell 3-2 to the Friars. Kaley McMullen put the Stags ahead in the 13th minute and the teams headed into halftime with the score tied 1-1. Providence took the lead early in the second half before Hannah Pike scored to tie the game at 2-2. With less than 10 minutes to play, the Friars scored the game winner to leave with the victory. Caitlin Gilligan made her first career start while making 10 saves against the Friars.
Defensive Player of the Week: After her first career start on Sunday against Providence, sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Gilligan earned MAAC Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honors. In cage, she made 10 saves against 13 Friar shots on goal, good for a .769 save percentage. And in her 70 minutes of work she allowed just three goals to the Big East power.
Herd to a Cure: Sunday's game will mark the first "Herd to a Cure" game for Fairfield Athletics this season. The team will sell special edition t-shirts and bracelets with all proceeds from the sales to benefit the Norma Pfriem Breast Center. The team will also wear the special t-shirts and bracelets before the game on Sunday. In addition, as they walk onto the field each player will hold a pink balloon with a name on it to honor a loved one that has been affected by Breast Cancer.
Looking Ahead: After this weekend, Fairfield plays two more conference games at Bryant on Friday and at Siena on Sunday.
Follow the Team: Follow Fairfield field hockey all season long on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @Stags_FH.
