FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team heads to the MAAC Championships in West Long Branch, N.J. for the second straight season. The No. 2 seeded Stags will take on the third seeded Bulldogs of Bryant University in the first semifinal matchup at 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning. In the afternoon the top seeded Monmouth Hawks will take on No. 4 Rider at 2:00 p.m. The two semifinal winners will advance to the MAAC Championship Game on Sunday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m. All three games will be streamed live on MAAC.TV

No. 2 Fairfield (7-12, 4-2 MAAC) vs. No. 3 Bryant (4-13, 4-2 MAAC): The Bulldogs beat the Stags earlier this season in a 2-1 overtime game in Providence, R.I. on October 14.    

A Look at the Bulldogs: Senior forward Victoria Danby leads her squad with 16 points off six goals and four assists. Sophomore Marissa Elizardo has started all 17 games in cage. The netminder has 79 saves and posts a 2.26 goals against average.  

Last Time Out: The Stags posted a 2-0 weekend with a 3-2 non-conference win over William & Mary and a 10-0 MAAC win over LIU Brooklyn. Sophomore forward Emma Clark scored five goals in the two games, including the game-winner against the Tribe. For her offensive outburst she was named the MAAC Player of the Week. Senior Caitlin Bennett made 14 saves in cage for Fairfield, including a game ending save in the one goal win over William & Mary. The goalkeeper was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week in the final week of the season.   

Looking Ahead: Fairfield needs a win to continue their season, if they can top the Bulldogs they will earn a berth in the championship game on Sunday. The winner of the 2016 MAAC Championship will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  

Follow the Team: Follow Fairfield field hockey all season long on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @Stags_FH.