FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team dropped its 2016 MAAC opener at Canisius College on Friday afternoon, 12-6.

The Stags jumped out to an early lead before the Golden Griffs clamped down on defense and took control of the game. The story of the day was how dominant the home side was off the draw, winning the battle in the middle, 13-6. Fairfield collected just one draw control in the first half.

Lily Crager scored the first goal of the game off a pass from Alex Fehmel, less than six minutes in to the game. The Stags kept the pressure on as they scored twice more just about 10 minutes later. Colleen Reynolds buried a free position attempt and Julieanne Mascera collected a pass from Brenna Connolly to put Fairfield up 3-0.

Canisius answered right away with two goals of their own to cut the deficit to one at the 10:35 mark. Maeave Quinn gave the Stags a two goal cushion with a free position goal, but the Griffs got one back scoring with four minutes to play in opening half.

The visitors held a 4-3 lead at the break, but saw that quickly fade away in the second half. Canisius came out of the locker room and fired home the next five goals to give them a four score lead with 13:10 left to play.

The Stags tried to get back into the game with two goals from Riley Hellstein at 10:13 and 6:29, but the Griffs continued to score. Canisius got three goals from Taylor Giglio in the final eight minutes of the contest to start their MAAC season off with a win.

“We fought hard to the end and I'm very proud of my team for that,” said Head Coach Laura Field.

Chelsey Sidaras played all 60 minutes between the pipes facing 24 shots and making five saves.

Up next, the Stags will head home for the first time since February 24 hosting Marist College on Saturday April 2.