FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team dropped a close 9-7 decision to Niagara on Senior Day. This moves the Stags to 3-4 in conference play, with one game remaining in the regular season.

The Purple Eagles defense really took over in the second half, not allowing a Stag goal in the final 30 minutes of action. Fairfield was held to just seven shots total in the second period.

The opening minutes started as a back and forth affair with the two sides trading goals. After Niagara jumped out to a one goal lead, Alex Fehmel tied the score just one minute later. Then with Niagara leading 2-1, Brenna Connolly notched the score at two with her sixth score of the season.

The Purple Eagles again took a one goal lead, but Fairfield would tally the next four to build a 6-3 edge with nearly seven minutes left in the first half. First it was Fehmel from Riley Hellstein to even the score. Then Lily Crager put the Stags up by one. Maeve Quinn joined the scoring action with the next two goals for Fairfield.

Niagara then started to close the gap, recording the next two goals to cut the lead to one. Colleen Reynolds pushed the Stags lead back to two with a goal with just 10 seconds remaining in the first half. Unfortunately for the home side, that would be their final tally of the afternoon.

The Purple Eagles controlled the pace of play in the second half and tied the score at seven all just five minutes into the frame. The visitors then began to eat the clock as they slowed their play and finally took back the lead for good with just under 21 minutes left.

At the midway point of the final stanza, they added one more score to give themselves a two goal cushion. The Stags would try to fight back, but the Purple Eagles came up with key stops and turnovers to halt the Fairfield attack.

Chelsey Sidaras played all 60 minutes between the pipes making four saves on the day.

Up next, Fairfield will finish the regular season at Manhattan on Wednesday, April 27.