FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After their longest road trip of the season, the Fairfield University Women's Soccer team will return home to campus to host the Holy Cross Crusaders on Thursday at 6pm. The Stags will look to build on an exciting 4-3 victory just two days ago at UMass Lowell.
 
Gabby Diodati was at the forefront of Fairfield's most exciting victory of the year as the graduate student scored the first three goals for the Stags in recording her first career hat trick. Diodati curled in a corner kick attempt as she converted an 'olimpico' style goal in the first half. Diodati helped the Stags regain the lead in the second half as she kicked in a rebound off a shot from Lexi Lehan to put the Stags up 2-1. Just minutes later, Diodati capped off her historic night with a header off a cross from Caroline Kelly to increase the Fairfield lead to 3-1.
 
UMass Lowell would rally to tie the game in a 1:30 span heading late into the game. Just a minute after the River Hawks drew even, the Stags gained a corner kick from the far side that proved to be the difference in the game. Brooke Hernon launched the corned that was hit out by the goalkeeper and found the right foot of Kayla Leary who blasted it into the net for the eventual game-winning tally. The score was Leary's first collegiate goal.
 
The River Hawks would look for the equalizer for the final 10 minutes, but the Fairfield defense held their ground for the victory. Gena Pike helped keep the advantage with three saves in the second half, including a save inside the final five minutes.
 
The Stags were the aggressors on offense for the majority of the night as they out-shot UMass Lowell 16-11 and put 11 shots on target. Diodati led the offensive attack with five shots, all on target. Freshman Reagan Klarmann launched four shots and currently leads the team with 11 shots. Lehan also had an impressive day up front as she tallied her first career assist in Fairfield's second goal and also helped set up the next score by playing a ball to Kelly before her cross to Diodati.
 
This will be the 14th match all-time between the Stags and the Crusaders and the first meeting in six years. Holy Cross brings a 0-4 record into the match with losses against common opponent UMass Lowell and MAAC foe Siena. Olivia Dubin has started all four matches in goal and posts a .783 save percentage, including picking up 19 saves against Siena. The Stags are 10-1-2 all-time against the Crusaders.
 
The Stags will continue their busy week when they take the short drive to crosstown rivals Sacred Heart on Sunday at noon.