FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After picking up its first win of the 2020 campaign this past Wednesday, Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse heads to Long Island for a Saturday matinee at Hofstra. Opening draw in Hempstead is slated for 11 a.m.
 
The Stags toppled visiting Columbia on Wednesday at Rafferty Stadium by a count of 13-6. Fairfield's attack was led by hat tricks from Kelly Horning and Monika Sivilli, while Diana DeVita facilitated the offense with a career-best five assists.
 
Defensively, in addition to limiting the Lions to just six goals overall and only one in the final 25 minutes of action, Fairfield recorded 17 caused turnovers and pressured the Lions into 25 giveaways overall. Lindsey Barnes made her first career start in the back row and posted a huge statline with five caused turnovers and five ground balls.
 
On the season, DeVita leads Fairfield with five goals and seven assists for a team-best 12 points. Sivilli (6g, 1a), Horning (5g, 2a) and Jillian Winwood (5g, 2a) have each registered seven points through three contests. Horning also leads the way with 10 ground balls and nine caused turnovers in the midfield.
 
Hofstra is 2-1 on the young season with a 9-8 loss to nationally-ranked USC followed by convincing victories over Bucknell and Wagner. The Pride went 12-7 last year and reached the CAA Championship Game.
 
Alyssa Parrella – a 2019 IWLCA Third Team All-American and the CAA Player of the Year – is the Pride's top scorer with 12 goals and 13 total points. Fellow First Team All-CAA performer Alexa Mattera has also reached double figures (9g, 1a) after three games. 2019 All-CAA Second Team pick Katie Whelan has been Hofstra's main distributor with four assists along with two goals of her own.
 
The Hofstra cage is protected by Jess Smith, who owns a .618 save percentage (21 goals, 34 saves) and a 7.32 goals-against average. Smith was an All-CAA Second Team honoree as a freshman last season.
 
After this weekend's trip to Long Island, the Stags are back on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 26 to host Boston University at 3 p.m. The Terriers, who will visit Dartmouth this Saturday, are currently 2-1 this season.