RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse capped the regular season with a 14-9 victory tonight at Manhattan to clinch a share of the 2018 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Regular Season Championship. The Stags will be the #3 seed in the MAAC Championship, which begins this weekend with Fairfield hosting #6 Iona at Rafferty Stadium.
 
Fairfield (10-6, 6-2 MAAC) put together three straight road wins to end the regular season to earn its 11th MAAC Regular Season Championship – the first during the three-year head coaching tenure of Laura Field.
 
In tonight's game, Brenna Connolly scored a goal and distributed four assists to set a new Fairfield Women's Lacrosse record with 75 assists in her career. Connolly entered the day tied for the career standard with Kristen Coleman at 71 helpers. She also extended her single-season record to 36 assists this spring and moves into seventh on the single-season chart with 65 points in 2018.
 
Olivia Russell and Taylor Mitchell each potted four goals on the day. The duo shares the team lead with 32 markers apiece after both Stags netted their third four-goal outing of the year. Kathleen Hulseman added her 25th goal of the season and dished out three assists. Rounding out the attack were Kelly Horning, Meaghan Graham, Bridget Weill and Mary Smyth with one goal apiece. Horning and Brooke Gallagher each doled out one assist.
 
In the midfield, Erin Mammele continues to re-write the record books as she became the first Stag to haul in 100 draw controls in a season. Mammele stands at 103 draw controls in 2018 after nabbing seven today and extended her career mark to 197. Kelly Horning contributed four draw controls to today's effort.
 
Paulina DiFatta made four saves and was active outside the crease with five ground balls and a caused turnover. With tonight's victory, DiFatta joins Katie Keenan '13 as the only Stags to earn 10 wins in the cage in their first active season. Keenan claimed the decision in 13 wins during the 2010 campaign.
 
The defense in front of DiFatta was guided by Erin Bauman with three caused turnovers and three ground balls. Katie FitzPatrick added a pair of caused turnovers and Kennedy Slater forced one while collecting a pair of ground balls.
 
Manhattan, which took the field needing a win to qualify for the postseason, sees its season end at 5-11 overall and 2-6 in the MAAC. The Jaspers were led today by a hat trick from Molly Fitzpatrick and two goals scored by Kara Hodapp. Nikki Prestiano went the distance in the cage and recorded nine saves.
 
Additional information on the Stags' upcoming MAAC Championship appearance – their 13th consecutive postseason trip – will be available on FairfieldStags.com as it is finalized by the conference office.