EASTON, Pa. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team put forth a strong defensive effort against one of the top offensive teams in the country but still came up a goal short as Lafayette College posted a 2-1 decision over the Stags this afternoon. The Leopards ranked 18th in the nation for scoring offensive, scoring four goals or more in four of their nine games coming into today's match.

The back line kept Lafayette in check through the opening minutes of the game before the home team was able to break through with a goal in the ninth minute of the game. Ariel Schumacher solved the Stags' defensive plan with a goal that started with an entry pass from Simone Hefting, a deflection that was flipped past goalkeeper Zoe Rosen. The goal would be Lafayette's last until late in the fourth quarter, covering just over 40 minutes of game play.

Fairfield did not take much time to find the equalizer, using strong pressure up front to create several opportunities over the next three minutes which included the game-tying play. The Stags kept the ball inside the circle after Lafayette failed to clear and the ball ended up on the stick of Malen Iglesias, who lifted the ball past goalkeeper Hailey Abbott in the 12th minute of the game.

Lafayette had the better of opportunities in the second and third quarter, taking four shots in each period but was unable to make any headway on the scoreboard. Rosen was sharp as usual, making a pair of saves in the second quarter and adding another one in the third quarter to keep the game even through 45 minutes of work. The Stags were able to put one shot on goal in the second quarter which was taken by Iglesias but the Abbott was able to turn it away. Fairfield would not take another attempt until the fourth quarter when Iglesias made another attempt but the ball sailed wide of the target.

The Leopards scored the game's final goal with 11 minutes remaining in regulation as Audrey Sawers converted a pass from Hefting to put the home team back in front. Sawers tipped in a ball that was sent to the near post by Hefting's pass from the top of the circle. With the win, Lafayette improved to 8-2 with the its third straight victory. Fairfield dropped to 5-6 overall after winning back-to-back games at home against Villanova and LIU.

The Stags will return to the pitch for a pair of Northeast Conference (NEC) home games next weekend, beginning with Rider University on Friday, October 8 at 4 pm. The weekend finishes with a match against Sacred Heart at 1 pm. Both games will be played at University Field.