FAIRFIELD, Conn. – When it comes to scheduling, Head Coach Jackie Kane likes to challenge her team by putting ranked opponents on the docket. Not only does it provide a chance for her to gauge where the program but it also gives the student-athletes insight to where they need to be.

                So when ninth-ranked Boston College came to University Field this afternoon, there was certainly disappointment in the Stags' 3-0 loss to the ninth-ranked team in the nation. But at the same time, there was opportunity to teach and learn.

                "I think we learned that we have to finish when we have the chance to score," Coach Kane said after the game. "We can't have a clean sheet when we have opportunities.  And, this is a level we want to be consistently so we have to play up to our competition. The way Boston College played today is the standard where we want to be."

                Fairfield rode its emotional high at the start of the game and really created the first scoring chance for either team. The Stags rotated the ball down the field and eventually found some space in the circle for Luzi Persiehl. The freshman put a shot on target which was kicked away by goalkeeper Sarah Dwyer which ended the threat.

                Over that opening five minutes, the Stags spent time in the final third but had trouble once the ball went into the circle. Eventually, Boston College's defense tightened up and those scoring chances started to dry up.

                On the other side of the field, the Eagles began to work their offense more cohesively with precision passing that enabled the team to move up field. Boston College scored the game's first goal with some intense pressure around the cage. The visitors put together one threat that involved three consecutive shots on target. Goalkeeper Zoe Rosen was able to turn aside two of those shots but Brooke Matherson's attempt of the second shot's rebound found the back of the cage to put Boston College ahead, 1-0.

                Matherson would provide the second goal as well as Elizabeth Warren controlled the ball on the near post and pivoted back toward goal. She found Matherson standing at the far post and sent a pass through the Stags defense which Matherson redirected into the goal for a 2-0 lead.

                Fairfield's Corrine Persichetti appeared to cut the lead in half when her shot beat Boston College's goalkeeper but the official ruled that the shot was initiated just outside the circle and waved off the score.

                In the second half, Boston College outshot Fairfield by a 9-0 count but the Stags were able to turn back most of those attempts. Rosen registered six saves over the final 35 minutes to finish the game with nine saves in the Fairfield goal. The Eagles scored the final goal of the game when Emily Buttinger collected a rebound off a shot by Elizabeth Warner, and one-timed the ball into the unoccupied net.

                The Stags will return to conference play on October 5 when they host Bryant University on October 5. The game will take place at University Field, beginning at 4 pm.