FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on the right foot by scoring a season-high five goals in a 5-1 rout against visiting Niagara. Four different Stags recorded at least one point in the game, led by a pair of goals off the feet from Brooke Hernon and Liz Dumas.
 
"I think it was a good result for us," Head Coach David Barrett said. "I'm pleased with that. We have a lot of work to do though and I think there are pieces we need to get better at. It's good to get a win, I'm happy for the girls so it's a good start."
 
"It feels really good," Hernon, who led the team with five points said. "Just coming out strong. We had a pretty good non-conference schedule so to come out on top in this first game really gives us a good look into the conference."
 
The Stags (4-3-2, 1-0 MAAC) needed just two minutes to open up their best offensive game of the season when Nicole Stryjek drew a foul inside the penalty area, setting up the first of two penalty kicks for the Stags. Gabby Diodati would convert her chance to give the Stags a very early 1-0 lead.
 
Niagara (4-3-1, 0-1 MAAC) nearly tied the match with their best chance of the game when Kelsey Araujo broke free from Fairfield's back line and had a 1v1 opportunity on the near post. Goalkeeper Gena Pike was able to cut her off to the side and eventually make a point blank save with her feet, the first of four saves for the freshman.
 
Dumas would tally her second multi-goal game in her last three outings, tallying both scores two minutes apart. Her first score came off a brilliant header off a corner sent by Hernon to bring the score to 2-0. Two minutes later, Dumas converted a pass from Stephanie Tsangaris that led her into the box.
 
The Stags would add two goals in the second half, both coming from Hernon who recorded her second career multi-goal game. Hernon was able to chase down a free kick from Diodati that floated over everyone. She found the ball near the top of the box and slid it into the lower right corner of the net for a 4-0 lead. Hernon would later be brought down near the end line of the penalty area, setting up another penalty kick for the Stags and Hernon would convert her chance.
 
All total, the Stags out-shot Niagara by a slim 13-11 margin with the Purple Eagles taking seven of those attempts in the second half.
 
With their five goals, the Stags take over the top spot in the MAAC with 19 goals scored through their first nine matches. Liz Dumas' five goals also places her momentarily tied for the conference lead.
 
The Stags will have a week's break, next taking the pitch at Saint Peter's on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 4pm.