FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse started its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference slate in dominant fashion with an 18-8 win over visiting Siena on Saturday afternoon. Ten different Stags scored goals – led by hat tricks from
Jillian Winwood,
Kathleen Hulseman and
Olivia Russell – and the defense limited the Saints to just three goals in the second half en route to victory.
With the win, Fairfield improves to 5-4 on the season and 1-0 in the MAAC. Siena sees its four-game winning streak coming to an end, dropping to 4-4 overall and 0-1 in conference action.
In addition to her hat trick, Winwood matched her career high with five points after posting the first multi-assist game of her career. Russell's hat trick was the fourth of her career.
Kelly Horning also had a three-point day with two goals and an assist. She was also a force in the midfield, collecting four ground balls with a pair of caused turnovers.
Taylor Mitchell potted a pair of goals with single tallies coming from the crosses of
Brenna Connolly,
Brooke Gallagher,
Jayne Tully,
Bridget Weill and
Meaghan Graham. Connolly's goal marked the 100th point of her career. She would also add an assist on the day. Gallagher and
Kennedy Slater also each handed out an assist to round out the scoring. Slater's helper is the first point of her Fairfield career.
In the midfield,
Lily Crager took charge in keeping the attack on the field with a career-high nine draw controls.
Erin Mammele collected five to end the day with 162 draw controls in her career – eight shy of the program record of 170 currently held by
Riley Hellstein.
The defensive effort was led by three ground balls apiece for
Katie FitzPatrick and
Megan Beach.
Paulina DiFatta made seven stops in the cage to go along with four ground balls of her own.
Emily Polsinello served the final 3:38 of the day in goal and did not see a shot on target. The defense kept Siena off the board for the final 18:48 of the afternoon, facilitating a stretch in which the Stags scored the game's final six goals to pull away for the 18-8 victory.
Alexis Deaken led the Saints with three goals, while Kerry Gerety netted two. Sammy Horton made nine saves for Siena.
MAAC action continues on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium with a Thursday matinee against visiting Niagara beginning at 1 p.m. The Purple Eagles are 4-5 overall and 1-0 in the MAAC after a 13-12 home win over Iona this afternoon. They will stop at Rutgers on Tuesday before visiting Fairfield on Thursday.
