FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team earned a 3-1 victory over Rider to start MAAC play off with a win.
Senior Caitlin Bennett was back in cage and played a tremendous game making 14 saves against 22 total shots. The Broncs kept firing away, but the netminder was dialed in for the first league contest of the season.
The Stags jumped out to an early 2-0 lead just eight minutes in to the game. Ann Burgoyne deflected in a pass from Julie de Paeuw to put the home side up 1-0 just four minutes in. Then in the eighth minute, Burgoyne deflected in a hard pass from Emma Clark to give the Stags a two goal advantage.
Fairfield kept the visitors at bay, defending against 12 first half shots. But the defense was up to the challenge and allowed the Stags to head into the break, up 2-0.
Hannah Pike extended the lead in the second half. She was able to corral a rebound off the Bronc goalie and fire it home for the third score of the game.Five minutes later, Daane Koch ended the shutout scoring her 10th goal of the season in the 48th minute.
For the remaining 22 minutes, the Stags defense clamped down yet again to not allow another score. Rider tried their best as they spent much of the remaining minutes inside the Fairfield zone. They created quality shot attempts, but nothing could get past the senior keeper.
The Stags grabbed their first win since September 3 over Saint Louis and are off to a great start in conference play.
Fairfield's next match will be on Sunday against Villanova at noon on University Field.
