FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team, saw their three game winning streak snapped at Denver on Sunday afternoon in a 10-6 defeat.

“The score wasn't indicative of the effort as we battled back from a four goal deficit to the tie the game early in the second half,” said Head Coach Laura Field. “It was a defensive battle on both sides and we certainly have identified some things to work on going into UConn.”

The Stags started off slow, unlike the past few games, and allowed the Pioneers to build a four goal lead in the first half. Denver held Fairfield scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the game before junior midfielder Riley Hellstein notched the first score for the visiting side.

Denver added another score with under four minutes to play before the half to bring their lead back to four goals. But Hellstein capped off the first stanza with back to back goals cutting the deficit to just two heading into the break. The first was unassisted at 3:04 while the second came with 22 seconds remaining from Alex Fehmel.

The home side opened the scoring in the second half with their sixth goal of the day just two minutes into the action. The Stags would grab the scoring momentum back as they tallied the next three goals to tie the game at six. First it was Julieanne Mascera from Colleen Reynolds at 22:11. Then three minutes later, after a yellow card to Denver's Sybil Pallace, Jenna Fuchs scored her first of the year off a free position shot. Two minutes later, it was Fehmel's free position goal that brought the game to six all halfway through the second.

The Pioneers defense really clamped down for the remainder of the game only allowing two Fairfield shots over the final 16 minutes of action. Denver also got back into their offensive game closing out the day on a 4-0 run.

The Stags defense played a great game causing Denver to turn the ball over 10 times. Junior Scarlett Sulliman led the way with three individual caused turnovers, while Hellstein, Melissa Laible and Chelsey Sidaras each added two. Sidaras earned the start in net making four saves against 19 shots.

Hellstein was the offensive leader with three points, she was followed by Fehmel with two points off a goal and an assist. Reynolds, Fuchs, and Mascera each tallied one point on the day.

Fairfield's next contest will be against nationally ranked UConn on Saturday, March 19 at Storrs, Connecticut.