FAIRFIELD, Conn -- The Fairfield University field hockey team will continue Northeast Conference (NEC) play when it travels to Rider University on Thursday afternoon before hosting Bryant college on Saturday. The Bryant game starts a three-game home stand that closes out the Stags' regular season. 

Fairfield enters this week with a 3-1 overall record after seeing its season-opening three-game winning streak come to an end with a shootout loss to LIU last Thursday. The Stags rallied to tie the score against the Sharks off Danielle Profita's third-quarter goal. After a scoreless two overtime periods, LIU outscored Fairfield in the shootout resulting in the decision.

For Profita, her game-tying tally was her first goal of the season and made her the sixth different Stag to score a goal this season. Two Fairfield student-athletes have tallied two goals in the team's first four games, namely Faith Spaziano and Julianna Kratz. Spaziano leads the team in scoring with five points, adding an assist to her season totals, while Kratz ranks second with four points. Emma Matlach has three points this season including one of the team's three game-winning goals, along with Spazlano and Emily Halderson.

Goalkeeper Zoe Rosen has allowed only three goals in her four appearances which translates into a 0.67 goals average. She has collected 13 saves in her 270 minutes on the pitch for a .812 save percentage. The senior has two shutouts to her credit, earning clean sheets against Albany in the season opener as well as Sacred Heart in the team's first conference game.

Rider comes into the week with a 2-0 overall and NEC record, winning its season opener at LIU by a 1-0 score before handing Merrimack a 7-0 setback in the Broncs' home opener. Julia Divorra sits atop the team's scoring leader list with six points, netting a team-best three goals in two games. Carly Brosious and Brittany Romanczuk are tied for second among their teammates with five points, each registering two goals and one assist. 

Kaitlyn Tomas has spent most of the minutes in the Broncs goal, gaining 102 of the team's 120 minutes. During her time in the cage, she has not allowed a goal and made three saves. Gillian Gunn and Carlee Fulton have each seen limited action as well without allowing a goal or being forced to make a save.

Bryant comes into the weekend with a 1-2 record after picking up its first win of the season with a 4-3 victory against Merrimack on March 29. Kylie Nelson tallied the game winner against Merrimack, She leads the team in scoring with two goals and four points, the only student-athlete with more than one goal on the season. Ashley Barron, Madison Demand, and Kathryn Doorley also have posted one goal this season. 

Goalkeepers Marijn Jaarsma and Lyndsay Swanston have split the goalkeeper duties this season with Jaarsma gaining two starts and Swanston has the other start. Swanston owns a 2.33 goals against average with 13 saves in her two appearances. Jaarsma has a 4.67 goals against average with 25 saves and a .805 save percentage.