FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield field hockey began a new winning streak this afternoon with their 10^th victory of the season over Bryant by a score of 1-0.  The Stags are now 2-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
 
"We are happy to have another conference win" said Head Coach Jackie Kane. "2-0 is a great start and I am happy about where we are, but we have to continue to work hard in practice. Every day, every drill, and every rep have to be at our best effort, so we can continue to play at a high level." 
 
The Stags dominated possession in the first half winning 10 penalty corners but could not capitalize on the opportunities.  At one point, Fairfield received six straight corners over the course of three minutes as they kept the pressure on but could not get a score off of them.  Bryant tallied two penalty corners in the half but could not convert on either of them.
 
With just over seven minutes left in the half, Emma Matlach intercepted a pass and pushed her way up the right side of the field and launched a shot from just inside the circle passed the goalkeeper for her seventh goal of the season and the only goal of the game.  The Stags would take a 1-0 lead into halftime.  
 
Bryant and Fairfield traded possessions for most of the second half but neither team could capitalize on their opportunities.  The Stags defense held strong at the end of the game to solidify the win.
 
"Our defense was very composed when they needed to be as Bryant was putting a lot of pressure on them" said Kane. "They were able to step to good balls and maintain possession and deny them of any circle entries which was key to winning the game."
 
Fairfield finished the game with 15 shots and eight of them on goal while they held the Bulldogs to just five shots and one on goal.  Fairfield also took 10 penalty corners to Bryant's four. 
 
"Although this was not the highest level of field hockey we can play, this group of girls refuses to lose" said Kane. "Even when we make mistakes, we have each other's backs and we grit it out to win."
 
The Stags will be on the road for their next three games.  They will take on Providence on Sunday at 1 P.M. before traveling to Rider and Columbia next Friday and Sunday.