SHELTON, Conn. -- The Fairfield University women's rowing team started the Fall 2018 season with an appearance at the Tail of the Housatonic, competing against Sacred Heart University and Iona College. The Stags posted entries for the varsity 4, the varsity 8, the novice 8, and the novice 4 which rowed in the varsity 4 race.

Fairfield booked two entries for the varsity 8 and came out with the top two spots in the race. The A boat took the top spot with a time of 19:45 behind the efforts of Mallory Burlington, Mariel Staffier, Ally Sloan, Mikayla Goria, Maggie O'Donnell, Hailey White, Sam Altomare, Erin Dobbs, and coxswain Katie Clark. The B boat was not far behind with its time of 19:57 as Brenna McDonnell, Ani Dennen, McKenzie Cunningham, Claire Lavelle, Bethany Gove, Madalyn Gibson, Brook Sillary, Katrina Kirchgaesser, and coxswain Liz Bouregy. Sacred Heart was third in this race by crossing the finish line in 21:32.

The varsity 4 also enjoyed success in its season opener by taking first place with its time of 20:35, edging Sacred Heart (21:19) and Iona (21:48) in the race. The Stags' entry was comprised by Molly Roche, Eileen Keenan, Ana McDonough, Kelsey Carthew, and coxswain Laura Mason. The novice 4 also rowed in this event and posted a time of 27:53 as Sara Middlebrook, Rebecca Patti, Jessica DeMarse, Chloe Riven, and coxswain Meg Smith representing Fairfield.

The novice 8 also competed on this day and secured second place behind Sacred Heart (22:29). The Stags' boat consisted of Kait Sweeney, Maggie Ethier, Grace Fallon, Madison McSherry, Audrey Sedensky, Taylor Lucas, Abigail Morrill, Sarah Walker, and coxswain Faith Kenny and finished the race in 23:32.