PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Fairfield University women's rowing team started its spring season by competing against La Salle University and Lehigh University on Saturday morning. The varsity four highlighted the day for the Stags, taking home a first-place finish against their two opponents. The varsity 8, the second varsity 8 and the third varsity 8 also raced during the day.

The varsity 8 started the day with a second place finish, as Lehigh secured the top spot with a time of 7:05.6. The Stags were next across the line with its time of 7:27.8 while La Salle was third in 7:39.0. Fairfield's entry was comprised by Caroline Maroney, Ana McDonough, Maddie McSherry, Grace Fallon, Bethany Gove, Mallory Burlington, Ani Dennen, Molly Roche, and coxswain Laura Mason.

Two boats competed for Fairfield in the next event with the second varsity boat securing second in 7:50.0 and the third varsity shell collecting fourth in 8:27,0. The second varsity consisted of Maggie Ethier, Katrina Kirchgaesser, Mariel Staffier, Brook Sillart, Audrey Sedensky, Sam Altomare, McKenzie Cunningham, Brenna McDonnell, and coxswain Faith Kenny. The third varsity included Jess DeMarse, Erka Kodra, Nicole Chrylser, Sara Middlebrook, Kaitlyn Sweeney, Morgan Connell, Rebecca Patti, Michaela Bassett, and coxswain Meg Smith.

The varsity four capped the day with its gold-medal performance, crossing the finish line in 7:50.9 , well ahead of Lehigh's entry which completed the run in 8:01.6. The Stags' entry was comprised by Kelsey Carthew, Maggie O'Donnell, Eileen Keenan, Allison Sloan, and coxswain Katie Clark.

Fairfield will return to the water on April 7 when it competes at the Cooper River Invitational in Pennsauken, N.J.