FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the first time for the 2016-17 season, the Fairfield campus will host a home event as the Fairfield women's soccer team returns to the Lessing Field pitch for their home opener on Friday at 7pm against the Stony Brook Seawolves. Fairfield will be vying for their 17th home opening win as they kick off their 25th home slate. The home stand does not last long, as the Stags will be traveling to St. John's less than 48 hours later as Fairfield meets the reigning Big East Regular Season Champions on Sunday at 7:30pm.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Jenna Pike and the Fairfield defense extended their scoreless streak past 200 minutes spanning three matches, but ultimately the Stags conceded the game deciding goal in the 86th minute against Bryant. In a defensive battle, both goalkeepers shined, but Bryant's Kaylan Conrad snuck out the victory after posting nine saves in the contest, including four in the final 10 minutes.  Bryant managed the only score of the game when Jaden McCarthy knocked in a rebounded shot that was initially saved by Pike. Forward Brenna Brown had the most opportunities for the Stags, notching four shots on goal.

FINALLY HOME: In the 25 years of the Fairfield women's soccer program, Fairfield has had just three seasons where they played four or more road games before their home opener. This will become season number four. Fairfield first accomplished the feat during one of their MAAC Regular Season Championship year in 2002. That season the Stags traveled to Ohio for games against Ohio and Kent State before taking part in the ECAC Classic. It also took the Stags five games before returning home in 2009 with a trip to the USF Nike Classic and a road game against No. 23 Boston College highlighting those matches. Finally, in 2013 the Stags did not travel more than 100 miles but played in four road games against Wagner, Army, Stony Brook, and Hartford.

THE STAGS IN HOME OPENERS: Over the 25 seasons of the program, the Stags have a 16-6-2 record in their first home match of the season. The last loss came last season, when Fairfield dropped a 3-1 decision to St. Drexel.

THE FRIDAY MATCHUP: For the fourth-straight season, the Stags and the Seawolves will meet with both teams holding an identical 1-1-1 record. Fairfield is unbeaten in their last two matches against the Long Island side, coming with Jim O'Brien's historical win in 2014 and a 2-2 draw last season. Brenna Brown was the offensive catalyst in last season's dramatic comeback with two goals, including the game-tying goal in the 87th minute. Anna Borea is the only other active Stag to have scored against Stony Brook, as she put away a penalty kick in the victory that would allow Coach O'Brien to break the program's win mark.

THE SEAWOLVES SCOUTING REPORT: First-year Head Coach Brendan Faherty took over a team that has two All-Conference players returning from last season with senior captain Priscilla Wiggins and leading returning scorer Raven Edwards. Wiggins was named to the All-America East Second Team after leading the teams in minutes and anchoring a defense that posted four shutouts. Edwards is the player to watch on an offensive perspective after leading the team with nine goals last season, two of them coming against the Stags. Stony Brook has dropped three of their first four decisions in 2016, with their only draw coming against Sacred Heart.

THE SUNDAY MATCHUP: Fairfield and St. John's will meet for the sixth time in program history, and the first since opening up the 2008 campaign. The Stags are 1-3-1 in those matches, with their last win coming nearly 12 years from the date (September 14, 1994).

THE ST. JOHN'S SCOUTING REPORT: One of the most prolific players in history, Rachel Daly led the Red Storm to their best season in school history with a school record 14 wins, a top-20 national ranking, and a Big East Regular Season Crown. Daly would graduate after breaking the program's all-time scoring record and was drafted sixth overall in the NWSL Draft. This season, the Red Storm have allowed just one goal and ironically, the only goal scored was by Loyola's Nicole Wahlig, the older sister of current Stag Jenn Wahlig.  That result came in their last match and was the second-straight draw by the Red Storm. Those defensive statistics should not come as a surprise to St. John's fans as Diana Poulin returns for her senior season. Poulin is the only player in program history to win the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year award, taking home the accolades the past two seasons. Out of the six goals, four different players have scored with Christina Bellero being the only player to notch multiple goals.

UP NEXT: The Stags will wrap-up the road portion of their non-conference schedule when they travel to Drexel on Thursday, September 8 at 7pm.