FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team heads to Iowa City to face Iowa on Friday at 3:00 p.m. and Saint Louis on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Fairfield (0-1) vs. Iowa (1-1): The Stags are 0-1 all-time against the Hawkeyes. The only matchup between the two sides was in 2007 when Fairfield fell at home 3-1.
A Look at the Hawkeyes: Iowa received votes in the preseason National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll. They opened their season with a 2-1 win over No. 7 Wake Forest on August 27. The Hawkeyes followed that up with a 4-1 loss to top ranked North Carolina the following day. Senior forward Natalie Cafone leads the team with two goals on the young season while senior defender Chandler Ackers has one. Senior goalkeeper Alexandra Pecora has made both starts in cage for the Hawkeyes making three saves and posting a 3.21 goals against average.
Fairfield (0-1) vs. Saint Louis (0-2): The Stags are 1-0 all-time against the Bilikens. The only matchup between the two sides was in 2012 at Michigan in a 1-0 win.
A Look at the Bilikens: Most recently, Saint Louis dropped to Longwood 6-2 on August 28. Sophomore midfielder Carly Kissinger scored both goals on the afternoon while tallying five shots. Sophomore Jessie Bryan and freshman MeMe Dawson have split time in net this season, recording 13 and seven saves respectively.
Last Time Out: The Fairfield University field hockey dropped their season opener to Lafayette 3-2 on Friday evening in Easton, Pa. Lafayette jumped out to an early lead, punching in their first goal less than five minutes into the contest. The Stags answered nearly 20 minutes later when Bridget Miles connected with Emma Clark to tie the game at 1-1. But before the end of half, the Leopards had another opportunity off a penalty corner. Out of the break, the two teams traded possession until Ann Burgoyne was able to tie the game at 2-2. The tie didn't last long though, as 80 seconds later Rosa Jonckheer shot from the edge of the crease for the third Leopard goal of the game.
Milestone Watch: Senior forward Ann Burgoyne sits second all-time in Fairfield history with 44 goals, just one behind Felicitas Heinen '15 for most in school history. The forward is also third with 93 points, just 19 shy of the record for a career. Julie de Paeuw can jump into the Top 10 this season as well, she has compiled 19 goals and 45 points over her career, sitting in 8th and 11th respectively on Fairfield's all-time lists. Goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett can add to her impressive career during her final season as a Stag. Currently she ranks fourth in games played (52), third in wins (24), third in winning percentage (.471), and sixth in goals against average (2.52).
Looking Ahead: After their trip to Iowa, the team will play in the Terrapin Invitational hosted by the University of Maryland. Their first game is scheduled against American on September 10 with the second match to be determined based on the results of the matchup between Maryland and California.
Follow the Team: Follow Fairfield field hockey all season long on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @Stags_FH.
