FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Before the season, one of the goals that the Fairfield University Women's Soccer team wrote on the board in their locker room was to go undefeated at Lessing Field. Three matches into their home schedule, the Stags can still reach that target. Fairfield scored a season-high six goals as they overpowered the Delaware State Hornets by a 6-2 final margin. The Stags have now scored 14 times in their first three home matches, already eight more goals than they tallied during last year's home schedule.
 
"We're trying to bring the pride back to Lessing Field," senior tri-captain Sara Plowman said. "We want teams to know when they come to Lessing it's not going to be an easy time and we're always going to put our biggest fight into getting that result at home."
 
Plowman enjoyed her first multi-goal game as she put in two of Fairfield's (5-2-0) six goals. Liz Dumas opened the scoring for the Stags in the 7th minute as she was awarded a penalty kick after being brought down in the box.
 
Plowman would score the next two goals for the Stags in a five minute span. Freshman Brooke Hernon chased down a ball towards the end line in the box and sent a cross over to Plowman, who was easily able to tap in her attempt into the corner. Dumas was credited with the assist on the next score as she chipped a pass over the heads of the defenders, where Plowman was able to beat the goalkeeper to put the Stags up 3-0.
 
Alex Madden would also tally her league-leading sixth goal of the season as she answered a Delaware State (2-6-0) goal 17 seconds after the Hornets broke up Fairfield's shutout. Gabby Diodati sent the pass up field that Madden was able to chase down and chip over the goalkeeper to bring Fairfield's advantage to 4-1.
 
The Stags would run their lead to 6-1 following second half goals by Hanley Courter and Shannon Ryan.
 
Fairfield has now scored 14 goals in their first three matches on their home pitch, attempting 54 shots over the past two matches.
 
"I think the more confident we are playing at home is better for us in terms of having an opportunity to perform at a higher level," Head Coach David Barrett said. "I think it gives them a source of pride to say that 'we want to win games at home and we want to be tough at home.' It's pleasing to know that is something they bought into and are prideful of."
 
The Stags out-shot Delaware State 25-10, with the Hornets picking up goals in the 25th and 89th minutes.
 
The Stags will look to use their offensive momentum when they open up MAAC play with a visit to Manhattan on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7pm.