FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Some might say that the Fairfield University field hockey team's quick start is due to their offense. Others might say that the Stags' impressive 4-1 start is a result of its defense. But if you ask Head Coach Jackie Kane, it's because of the work they did off the field during the summer and preseason.  And that offseason resolve was not more apparent than today's 4-1 win over Holy Cross at University Field. 

                "The team took it seriously during the summer and came back to camp in better shape than when they left after the spring," Kane said. "And as a result, they have set a high standard right from the very beginning.  It's really a mind set. We have had people who didn't score last year getting goals this year.  It's also a result of the amazing leadership we have had this year."

                At the heart of that leadership is a senior class that is ready to assume that mantle as was made evident this afternoon. Seniors  Kaley McMullen and Corinne Persichetti scored two of the team's four goals while Persichetti added an assist on a third goal.

                McMullen opened the scoring with a goal in the fourth minute when she made a diagonal run to the far post. Danielle Profita saw the opening and sent a pass to her teammate's stick which the senior finished with a shot that slipped under Holy Cross' diving goalkeeper.

                Persichetti stepped up with a similar set for the Stags' second goal, finding Emma Matlach in the center of the circle and placing a pass onto her stick. Matlach one-timed a shot that eluded the goalkeeper once again, pushing Fairfield in front of its guest by a 2-0 score with 26:08 remaining in the opening half.

                Holy Cross became more aggressive after that second goal and countered on several opportunities that test Stags' goalkeeper Zoe Rosen, but the reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Week made a pair of saves in the first half to keep Fairfield in front, 2-0, at halftime.

                As it did in the first half, Fairfield struck early and posted its third goal of the game and first after halftime just eight minutes into the period. Iona Armour started the opportunity when she secured the ball after a deflected penalty corner and pushed the ball to Persichetti. The senior finished the opportunity for her first career goal and more importantly put her team in front, 3-0.

                "I can't believe that was her first goal," Kane said. "She has been such a force for us over the last three-plus years so I am very happy for her today."

                The Stags finished off their scoring when Meghann Maguire converted passes from Malen Iglesias and Emily Halderson for a 4-0 advantage. Holy Cross managed to break through late in the game as Madeline Alderfer beat the goalkeeper with a shot in the 56^th minute.

                The team's 4-1 start this season marks its best five-game beginning since posting the same mark during the 1999 campaign.

                Fairfield will return to the pitch on Sunday when it heads to the University of Vermont for a Sunday afternoon game.  Game time is slated for noon.