NEW YORK – Brooke Gallagher had a career day with six points as Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse topped host Columbia, 14-12, in snowy conditions on Wednesday afternoon in New York. Meaghan Graham and Taylor Mitchell each added a hat trick for the Stags.
 
With the win, Fairfield starts a season at 3-0 for the first time since 2011. The Stags also earn their first win over Columbia since the annual series was renewed in 2016. The Lions fall to 1-1 on the campaign.
 
Gallagher established a new career best with six total points, matching her personal high of four goals and dishing out two assists. He also netted the game-winner in the second time in her Fairfield career.
 
Graham's hat trick was her second straight and the third of her career. She supplemented her own scoring with her team-leading fifth assist of the season. For Mitchell, all three goals of her second hat trick of the season came after halftime. The output was on the heels of having her 19-game point streak snapped in last Wednesday's win over UConn.
 
Two Stags registered the first point of their respective collegiate careers with Caroline Mangan posted a point and an assist, and Cameryn Dera potting her first career marker. Kathleen Hulseman notched a goal and an assist, and Jillian Winwood rounded out the scoring with one tally. Kelly Gordon added one assist for the third straight game.
 
On the defensive end, Olivia Conquest made 10 saves to improve to 3-0 in the cage in her rookie campaign. The effort in front of her was led by Mangan with three ground balls and two caused turnovers and two ground balls apiece for Kennedy Slater, Megan Beach and Maggie Reynolds. Hulseman chipped in in the defensive midfield with a ground ball and three caused turnovers.
 
Two Stags had career bests on the draw as Slater and Nicollette LaVista each won three restarts.
 
After falling behind 3-1, the Stags clamped down and kept Columbia off the board for the final 16:50 of the period. Fairfield would rattle the cage six times during that stretch to take a 7-3 advantage into the locker room. The action leveled out in the second half as a 4-0 run by the host Lions knotted the score at 11-11 with 11:28 to play. At that point, Fairfield took advantage of a yellow card as Mitchell scored to put the Stags back in front, 12-11. Gallagher would add back-to-back markers in the closing minutes to help ice the 14-12 decision.
 
Columbia was led four points apiece from Emily Manville (1g, 3a) and Alison Schwasnick (3g, 1a). Ryan Schlageter and Abby Roberts shared the effort in goal for the Lions, making six and two saves, respectively.
 
The Stags are back on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium this Saturday for a 1 p.m. visit from Hofstra. The Pride are 2-1 on the season following a 17-4 trouncing of Wagner on Tuesday.
 
Admission is free for all fans to all Fairfield Women's Lacrosse regular season home games this season.
 
Saturday's 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.