FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- For the second straight week, the Fairfield University field hockey holds a place in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) national poll, entering play as the 23rd-ranked team in the country. The Stags, which held the same ranking last week, will start play in the Northeast Conference on Friday by hosting Sacred Heart University.

Head Coach Jackie Kane saw her team win seven straight games before the run ended last Friday with a 6-4 loss to Northeastern University, the second-highest scoring team in the nation with a 4.44 goals per game average. Ironically, the Stags also place 23rd in the country for team scoring, netting 2.44 goals per outing. The team also places 19th in Division I for scoring margin, holding a +0.89 margin through nine games. 

The Stags' offense has certainly been captivating over the last few weeks, scoring two or more goals in seven of nine games with four contests including three or more goals. Fairfield's ability to find the back of the cage revolves around the eight student-athletes who have multiple goals to their credit this season, including four each from junior Danielle Profita and freshman Page Lowry. Newcomer Julianna Kratz, a two-time NEC Rookie of the Week, joins sophomore Luzi Persiehl with three goals apiece to place second on the team. 

While that foursome has applied pressure up front, the Stags have also comprise a formidable defense that has already three shutouts including back-to-back clean sheets for goalkeeper Zoe Rosen. The goalkeeper has played all but eight minutes in the Fairfield cage this season, collecting a 1.58 goals against average with a .736 save percentage. The junior has 39 saves which breaks down to just under five stops per appearance. Rosen comes into play this week ranked 31st in save percentage and 30th in goals against average among Division I goalkeepers.

Sacred Heart will play Fairfield for the seventh time in as many years with the Stags winning five of the last six meetings including last year's 4-2 win by Fairfield. The Pioneers start the day with a 1-9 overall record despite allowing two goals or less in three of their last five dates. The team defeated Saint Francis University by a 4-3 count in double overtime, courtesy of a goal by Colleen McAninley in the 73rd minute of the game. The goal was the third straight for the Pioneers in that game, erasing a two-goal deficit in the second half.

McAninley leads the team in scoring with seven points, collecting a team-best three goals with one assist in her 10 appearances. Kayla Kruk and Bridget LaRiccia are just off her pace with five points each. Most of Kruk's points come from her team-leading three assists while a majority of LaRiccia's points are a result of her two goals. Hailey Power has seen the most action in the Sacred Heart goal with 537 minutes played over 10 games. She owns a 3.35 goals against average with 99 saves (9.9 per game) and a 3.35 goals against average to her credit.

The Stags will finish up the weekend with a road game, heading to the College of the Holy Cross on Sunday afternoon. The Crusaders hold a 4-4 overall record before their game with Colgate on October 5. Holy Cross starts the weekend with two straight wins, edging Bryant in overtime (2-1) and Lehigh (4-2). Minke Koomen is  double-digit scorer for the Crusaders, registering 10 points off four goals and two assists. Madeline Alderfer boasts a team-leading six assists among her eight total points. Goalkeeper Marcia LaPlante has started all eight games in the Holy Cross cage, sporting a 2.08 goals against average with a .813 save percentage.