FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse opens a four-game road swing this Saturday, Feb. 24 with a trip to Long Island to challenge Hofstra. The Stags (1-2) and Pride take the field at James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y. at 3 p.m.
 
The Stags are coming off of their second-straight one-goal loss – a 13-12 decision nabbed by Columbia on Wednesday at Rafferty Stadium. Fairfield was paced offensively by a five-point day from Brenna Connolly and a career-high four goals by Taylor Mitchell. Erin Mammele helped to keep the Stags on the attack with a single-game program-record 11 draw controls. In the cage, Paulina DiFatta made 12 saves for the Stags. The defense in front of her was led by two caused turnovers by Megan Beach.
 
On the season, Mitchell leads the Stags with seven goals and Connolly has racked up a MAAC-best 12 points by way of four goals and a conference-high eight assists. DiFatta has played at 180 minutes in goal, posting a 10.33 goals-against average and .516 save percentage.
 
Mammele leads the MAAC with an average of 7.00 draw controls per contest. In addition to her program-best 11 draw controls on Wednesday, the junior also holds the single-season record after nabbing 86 draw controls last spring, and her 115 career draw controls to date rank her ninth all-time in Fairfield history.
 
The Hofstra Pride is 2-0 this spring with early wins over Bucknell (13-1) and Wagner (15-10). Hofstra was 8-8 last spring with four of their losses coming to nationally-ranked opponents – including top-ranked and eventual National Champion Maryland. The Pride went 2-4 in the CAA in 2017 and has been picked to finish fifth of seven teams in the 2018 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Reigning CAA Rookie of the Year Alyssa Parrella has paced the Hofstra attack through two games this spring with eight goals, three assists and a team-leading 14 draw controls. Parrella's season-best seven goals came at Rafferty Stadium last spring in the Stags' 19-14 win over the Pride.
 
Alexa Mattera adds 10 points, including a team-best nine goals. Maddie Field started both games, logging 115:14 in the cage to the tune of a 5.73 goals-against average and .542 save percentage.
 
Hofstra holds a 10-3 lead in the all-time series dating back to 1997. Fairfield has won the last two meetings, a 13-12 win in Hempstead in 2016 and a 19-14 triumph last spring at Rafferty Stadium. The Stags are 1-5 all-time on the road against the Pride.
 
After this Saturday's action at Hofstra, Fairfield's road trip includes visits to Sacred Heart, New Hampshire and Lehigh. The Stags are back on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium to host Boston University on Wednesday, March 14 at 3 p.m.