FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Trailing 5-1 midway through the first half of Thursday's semifinal meeting with Niagara, Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse ran off the game's next five goals and never trailed the rest of the way en route to a 15-10 victory.
 
"We were on our heels and a bit tentative to start the game," said Head Coach Laura Field. "But once we started to play like us – aggressive but in control and within ourselves – it made a huge difference in how we played."
 
With the win, the top-seeded Stags improve to 12-1 and advance to Sunday's MAAC Championship Game to challenge second-seeded Siena. Niagara, which was the fourth seed in the tournament, sees its season come to a close at 8-5.
 
Three Stags came off the bench and contributed hat tricks – Libby Rowe, Maggie Fort and Elizabeth Talluto. Talluto's three goals were the first markers of the season for the sophomore.
 
Ellie Grefenstette added a pair of goals, with single tallies coming from Diana DeVita, Kelly Horning, Arianna Lavelle and Madeline Dent.
 
Rounding out the offense, DeVita doled out three assists to run her team-leading total to 18 helpers. Horning had a pair of assists, with Fort and Rowe each distributing one.
 
Rowe also starred in the midfield, winning a career-high six draw controls. Nicollette LaVista added five and Horning came away with four draws as the Stags held a 17-8 advantage off the restart.
 
"Libby Rowe was great in terms of output, both scoring and on the draw," noted Field. "But I think the biggest thing that isn't on the statsheet is the calm she brought to the game. She managed the game in a veteran role as a sophomore."
 
Defensively, the Stags were anchored by a pair of caused turnovers for Caroline Mangan and one apiece for Lindsey Barnes, Hailey Durkin and Maggie Reynolds. Olivia Conquest made seven saves in the cage, including five stops in the second half.
 
Lois Garlow and Shea Swartwout each netted a hat trick to lead the Purple Eagles on attack. Lexi Braniecki added two goals and two assists. Michelle Messenger made nine saves in the Niagara cage.
 
Sunday's matchup with Siena will be a rematch of Fairfield's only setback of the 2021 campaign – a 15-11 loss on April 10. The Stags and Saints also met in the 2019 edition of the MAAC Championship Game with Fairfield hoisting the trophy for the second straight season, winning 10-9 in overtime on the back of Kelly Horning's game-winner.
 
Opening draw on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium is slated for noon.