FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team travels to College Park, Maryland to face American on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and will play a second game against either Maryland or California on Sunday.
 Fairfield (1-2) vs. American (3-1): The Stags are 0-4 all-time against the Eagles. The last matchup between the two sides came back in 2003 when both were members of the Patriot League. American came out on top 5-0 in a game played in the nation's capital.
 A Look at the Eagles: American enters Saturday's game having won two in a row over William & Mary and James Madison. In the 2-1 win over the Dukes, senior forward Natalie Konerth and Lucy Whalley each tallied scores in the game. The senior leads the team with seven points this season off three goals, while junior Leah DiGiandomenico has six points for the Eagles. Sophomore goalkeeper Maura Jacobs has started the past two games posting a 2-0 record with a 0.50 goals against average and 13 saves.  Â
 A Look at the Terrapins: Seventh in the NFHCA poll, Maryland is 2-2 this season with wins over Saint Joseph's and Boston College. In their 3-1 victory over the Eagles, graduate forward Welma Luus tallied two scores while senior forward Emma Rissinger knocked in a third. Luus is the team leader with four goals this season, while Grace Balsdon and Rissinger each have three scores. Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Holliday has made all four starts for the Terrapins, logging 14 saves and a 2.53 goals against average.
A Look at the Golden Bears: California enters the weekend at 0-3, falling to sixth ranked Michigan last Sunday 5-0. Sophomore forwards Melina Moore and Janaye Sakkas lead their squad with three and two points respectively. Junior goalkeeper Kori Griswold has made all three starts for the Bears, posting nine saves and a 3.17 goals against average.
Last Time Out: The Fairfield University field hockey team got their first win of the season on Saturday afternoon, topping Saint Louis 5-1. The Stags opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the game. Julie de Paeuw fired a shot from the top of the arch and Jaclyn Gallagher deflected it in to give the Stags a 1-0 lead. The scoring continued for the Stags as Ann Burgoyne passed to Kaley McMullen in front of the cage. The sophomore put it in the back of the net for her first career goal and gave Fairfield a two goal lead midway through the first frame. McMullen got back on the scoresheet when Gallagher made a crisp pass to the midfielder who buried it in the goal. Fairfield held a 3-0 lead with just about 12 minutes remaining in the first half. In the second half, the scoring slowed. Not until there were just nine minutes to go, Shannon Doherty found Burgoyne who pushed it past the keeper to put the Stags up 4-1. Just a few moments later, Burgoyne recorded an assist when Emma Clark scored to give Fairfield a four goal lead.
Milestone Watch: Senior forward Ann Burgoyne sits tied for first all-time in Fairfield history with 45 goals. The forward is also third with 99 points, just 13 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 46 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 (54), third in wins (25), third in winning percentage (.471), and sixth in goals against average (2.52).
 Looking Ahead: The winner of Saturday's game will play the winner of the game between Maryland and California, while the two losers will face off in a third place game. Both games will be held on Sunday at either 12:00 or 2:00 p.m.
Follow the Team: Follow Fairfield field hockey all season long on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @Stags_FH.
