FAIRFIELD, Conn. – In a game that wasn't decided until the final minutes of action, visiting Boston University scored two late goals to hold off Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse by a score of 14-12 on Wednesday afternoon on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. Kelly Horning netted a career-high six goals for the Stags, and Olivia Conquest made 16 saves for the second straight game.
 
A four-goal rally in the second half – featuring markers from Horning, Monika Sivilli, Cameryn Dera and Jillian Winwood – had the Stags staked to an 11-10 lead, but Fairfield was then held scoreless for more than 10 minutes as the Terriers netted a pair to reclaim an advantage at 12-11.
 
Diana DeVita pulled the Stags back even at 12-12 with nine minutes to play, but Fairfield would manage just one shot attempt the rest of the way as BU scored two more to escape Rafferty Stadium with the 14-12 decision.
 
Fairfield falls to 1-4 on the season with the loss. Boston University improves to 3-2 with both losses coming against nationally-ranked opponents (Boston College, Dartmouth).
 
"We were lacking quality possessions," said Head Coach Laura Field. "The turnovers at the end of the game will be the ones that stand out, but it's the turnovers in the first half that put us in the position where those last possession were so meaningful."
 
Five of Horning's six goals came in the first half as she helped the Stags stay within striking distance of the Terriers over the opening 30 minutes. Maggie Fort and Sivilli also scored in the first half as the Stags went into the locker room trailing by an 8-7 count.
 
"Kelly stepped up not only scoring goals but on defense and picking up ground balls. She is definitely rising to the challenge of being relied upon by us as that high-caliber of player."
 
Horning added three ground balls and two caused turnovers to her six-goal output. The junior currently leads the MAAC in caused turnovers per game (2.60) and ranked fourth in ground balls (3.40).
 
Sivilli added an assist to her two-goal day to round out her third straight three-point game. Fort, Winwood, DeVita and Dera also all picked up an assist to go along with their goals.
 
At the other end of the field, Conquest backed up her career-high 16 saves this past Saturday at Hofstra with another 16 stops today. She also reeled in a team-leading four ground balls from the cage.
 
"Liv is doing her job really well. And the defense is doing its job, defending well for long stretches and getting stops," noted Field. "And we're scoring in pretty high percentages, but it still comes down to the other team possessing the ball for more time than us."
 
The Terriers were led by a hat trick for Mackenzie Howe and three-point days from Maddie MacMaster and Kailey Conry. Kennady Smith came on in the relief in the cage, making five stops while ceding seven goals over the final 46 minutes to earn the win.
 
The Stags now start a month-long, three-game road swing beginning this Sunday, March 1 at New Hampshire. Fairfield will also visit #10 Denver and crosstown foe Sacred Heart before returning home to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium to open the MAAC schedule on Wednesday, March 25 against Quinnipiac.