CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team opened its 2017 season against a team that went to the National Quarterfinals and entered this year as the 10th-ranked team in the nation. And by the end of the game, the University of Virginia ended up with the decision, defeating the Stags by an 11-1 count at Turf Field.

The Cavaliers opened the game by scoring five goals in the opening half, taking advantage of eight penalty corners. Virginia managed to score three of its five goals in the half directly off the set plays and added another one that came after the ball was put into play after a corner insertion. Goalkeeper Caitlin Gilligan faced 15 shots in the opening half and turned away four of those shots in her 35 minutes of work. 

Fairfield's offense had a couple of chances in the first half in the first half with the best opportunity coming from Cassie Hughes. The junior took control of the ball inside the circle with just over 17 minutes left in the half and launched a shot toward goal that forced Carrerra Lucas to make her first save of the game. Less than a minute later, Hughes sent another shot back toward goal but the attempt went wide.

The Cavaliers opened the second half quickly by scoring three goals in the first eight minutes to push the score to 8-0 with just under 28 minutes remaining in the game. The home team extended its lead with three more goals through the rest of the half before Fairfield broke the shutout bid with a goal from Sam Giordano at the 4:57 mark of the second half. Freshman goalkeeper Zoe Rosen made her collegiate debut by playing the entire second half for Fairfield, facing 23 shots and making 13 saves.

Tara Vittese and PIen Dicke paced the Virginia offense with three goals each while Lucas kicked away seven Fairfield shots to earn the victory between the posts. 

The Stags return to action on Sunday when they finish up their weekend road trip with an afternoon game against the College of William & Mary.