FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After a week off from competition, Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse returns to action this Wednesday, Feb. 20 for a 3 p.m. non-conference tilt at Columbia. The 2-0 Stags are in search of their first 3-0 start to a season since 2011.
 
The Stags' early season victories have come on the road at Holy Cross on Feb. 9 and, most recently, on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium against UConn on Feb. 13. Fairfield's win over the Huskies snapped a seven-game skid against their in-state foe.
 
Fairfield has earned a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference weekly award after each of its wins this season. Caroline Mangan was tabbed as the MAAC Rookie of the Week following the win over the Crusaders, and Kelly Horning is the reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Week after posting two goals, six ground balls and four caused turnovers against UConn.
 
Thus far in 2019, the Stags' attack has been led by Diana DeVita with five goals and three assists for a team-best eight points. Jillian Winwood has been Fairfield's most prolific goal scorer with six markers through two games, and Meaghan Graham is the top facilitator with four assists to date.
 
On the other end of the field, Olivia Conquest has played all 120 minutes in the cage. She holds an 8.00 goals-against average and a .590 save percentage with a MAAC-leading 23 total saves to her credit.
 
Scouting Columbia
The Columbia Lions return their top three scorers (and nine of their top 10) from last year's team that qualified for the Ivy League Tournament for the first time in program history. Heading that list is reigning Ivy League Midfielder of the Year Lindsey Ewertsen, who filled out her 2018 statline with 28 goals, 15 assists, 78 draw controls, 46 ground balls and 38 caused turnovers. Also back in the mix offensively is Alexandria Absey – a 2018 All-Ivy Honorable Mention – who led Columbia with 32 goals.
 
Fourth-year head coach Andrea Cofrin is searching for a new starter in the cage this spring to replace graduated goalkeeper Kelsey Gedin. Abby Roberts and Ryan Schlageter each played a half of the Lions' season opener and posted identical marks of four saves and six goals allowed in 30 minutes of action apiece.
 
Columbia is 1-0 on the young season following a 13-12 win over MAAC opponent Siena this past weekend. Emily Manville led the attack against the Saints with two goals and three assists with Ewertsen registering two goals and two assists and Absey rattling the cage four times in the victory.
 
Fairfield is 1-10 all-time against Columbia in a series that dates back to 1998. The Stags' victory over the Lions came in 2008. Columbia has won the last three meetings since that game when the series resumed in 2016.
 
Up Next
The Stags are back on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium this Saturday for a 1 p.m. visit from Hofstra. The Pride are 1-1 on the season with Wagner coming to Long Island on Tuesday prior to their weekend trip to Fairfield.
 
Saturday, Feb. 23 Promotions
Lil' Stags Day: Post-game autographs and meet and greet with the Stags
 
Youth fans (eighth grade and younger) can join the Lil' Stags Club for exclusive benefits throughout the 2018-19 school year
 
Hot Chocolate Giveaway: Free hot chocolate for the first 200 fans in an exclusive Fairfield Lacrosse cup.
 
Admission is free for all fans to all Fairfield Women's Lacrosse regular season home games this season.