FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University field hockey continued their historic start as they improved to 7-1 today after defeating UMass Lowell by a score of 2-0.  The Stags have won five straight games. 
 
The teams started the game evenly as they both had penalty corner opportunities early but could not convert.  Thirteen minutes into the first half, UMass Lowell put the pressure on the Fairfield defense with two straight penalty corners, but they were blocked down.  Fairfield returned the pressure with two breakaways but could not finish them off.  The teams combined for 6 penalty corners in the first half.
 
With four minutes left in the first half, Corrine Persichetti took a shot from the top of the circle which was blocked to Malen Iglesias who put a shot passed the goalie and off the crossbar.  Emma Matlach was in perfect position to finish off the play as she hit the ball out of the air and into the goal.  This was Matlach's fourth goal of the season and she now has four goals in the past four games. 
 
Fairfield kept the pressure on the UMass Lowell defense to start the second half as they kept it on the River Hawks side of the field and took three shots in the first 15 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, the River Hawks reversed the pressure with two straight penalty corners.  Goalkeeper Zoe Rosen was able to make three big saves to preserve the Stags 1-0 lead. 
 
With less than 6 minutes left in the second half, Emma Matlach pushed the ball up the right side of the field and sent the ball across the middle where freshman Jolanda Richter was there to knock it in for her first goal of the season giving the Stags a 2-0 advantage.  This would seal the win for the Stags. 
 
"It was a great team effort today" said Head Coach Jackie Kane "We rotated a lot of players into the game and Jolanda (Richter) made the most of her time.  She is getting stronger every game and she was in the right scoring position today, which is something we work on a lot in practice.  Many of our young players are stepping up into scoring roles and it is great to see."
 
Fairfield finished with 17 shots and 11 of them on goal while UMass Lowell finished with seven shots and four of them on goal.  Zoe Rosen also finished with four total saves to keep the River Hawks scoreless. 
 
"They were pressuring us hard but once again we maintained our composure" said Kane.  "Zoe (Rosen) was outstanding today making clutch saves that kept us in the game to win it.  I am really proud of this team."
 
The Stags will play again tomorrow afternoon as they host Lehigh at 1 P.M. on University Field.