All fans attending Monday's lacrosse doubleheader are advised that the parking lot at the Kelley Center will not be available due to an Open House. Fans are asked to park in the lot adjacent to Dolan Hall off Porter Road (beyond Rafferty Stadium and Alumni Diamond). VIP parking will remain in the parking lot in front of Rafferty Stadium.

Campus Map

All fans that have purchased tickets (season tickets or single-game tickets) for either of Monday's lacrosse contests can pick them up at the will call window on gameday. Fans that purchased tickets for Saturday but can no longer attend due to the date change can contact the Fairfield Athletics Ticket Office at (203) 254-4136 or StagsTickets@fairfield.edu.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team opens their 2016 season at home against LIU Brooklyn on Monday, February 15 at 2:00 pm. The Blackbirds and Stags will be the second game of a lacrosse doubleheader with the men hosting Richmond at 11:00 am.

Looking at the upcoming season, Head Coach Laura Field pointed out their main team goal this year. "Our goal this season is to defend the MAAC. We have made it very clear it's a different season this year, but we want to get back and win the MAAC Championship."

The team will look to their eight seniors this season for leadership both on and off the field. "Our seniors have really stepped up and have key leadership roles on the team," added Coach Field. The captains for the 2016 season will be seniors Melissa Laible, Julieanne Mascera, and Chelsey Sidaras.

First looking at the defensive side of the ball, the Stags had the stingiest defense in the league last season allowing just 7.38 goals per game. Returning in net is Sidaras who will anchor the defense. The senior is a two-time All-MAAC First Team selection and was tabbed to the 2016 Preseason All-MAAC Team. Last season she earned MAAC All-Championship Team honors, was named the MAAC Championship Most Valuable Player, recognized on the ECAC Division I All-Star Second Team, and IWLCA All-Northeast Region Second Team.

Beside her on the defensive end will be classmate Laible. The senior defender was an All-MAAC Second Teamer last season and was selected to the 2016 Preseason All-MAAC Team. Said Coach Field, "she has always been a physical player for us, but has emerged as a vocal leader on the team this season."

Scarlett Sulliman will again see time on defense this season. "She will definitely have a big impact on the field and she fits right into the defensive unit we have," explained Coach Field.

Just as the defense, the offense will be centered around several seniors and upperclassmen. "Our seniors are vital to our offense," said Coach Field. Fairfield returns their top six scorers from 2015 (four seniors, two juniors). Junior Alex Fehmel started all 19 games last season and posted a team leading 44 points (31 goals, 13 assists). In 2015, she was named to the MAAC All-Championship Team and All-MAAC Second Team. Senior Julieanne Mascera led the team with 32 goals and was second on the team with 42 points in 2015.

Fellow senior, Colleen Reynolds returns for the Stags as the fifth leading scorer from a season ago. As a junior she totaled 17 goals and six assists, she also added 34 draw controls, 19 ground balls, and 11 caused turnovers. Named to the 2015 MAAC All-Championship Team, Reynolds has improved each and every year at Fairfield. Coach Field explained, "she is playing her best lacrosse now out of the four years she's been here."

Looking at the schedule, the month of March will be a challenge for the Stags as they will play six straight games away from home. Notable games during the stretch include at New Hampshire on March 5, at Denver on March 13, at UConn on March 19, and at Canisius on March 25. Said Coach Field of the schedule, "It's some very tough out of league opponents and then right into tough league games. It will allow us to test the waters and see where we are as a team. Every league game is important and all of them will be tough."

Fairfield (0-0) vs. LIU Brooklyn (0-0): The Stags are 3-0 all-time against the Blackbirds dating back to 2006. Last time the two sides faced off, Fairfield topped the Blackbirds 20-9 on April 15, 2009.

Scouting the Blackbirds: Monday's contest will also be LIU Brooklyn's season opener. The Blackbirds return standouts Jenn Peters and Dale Cosgrave. Last season, Peters led the team and the Northeast Conference in points (74) and goals (62). As a freshman, Cosgrave was the team leader with 21 assists and third on the team with 36 points. The Blackbirds also return starting goalkeeper Alexis Maldonado. In 2015, she made 14 starts and posted a 14.09 goals against average.

2015 MAAC Champions: The women's lacrosse team is looking to defend their 2015 MAAC Championship. After defeating Canisius 9-7 in the conference championship game, the Stags advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. In the first round, Fairfield fell to No. 11 Princeton, 18-8. Mascera led the way on offense with three goals and two assists to total five points.

Looking Ahead: After Opening Day, the Stags will continue their three-game homestand. Fairfield will host Boston University on Saturday, February 20 at 3:00 pm before hosting Columbia on Wednesday, February 24 at 3:00 pm.

Stay warm with the Stags: On what is projected to be a chilly February afternoon, all fans in attendance at Rafferty Stadium can enjoy free hot chocolate courtesy of Sodexo. Fairfield students will also receive a free Stags knit hat from Stags in the Stands. The promotions will be held during both ends of Monday's doubleheader while supplies last.