FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- A second-half offensive surge and another strong effort by the Stags' defense resulted in the Fairfield University field hockey team's second shutout of the season, a 2-0 win over Villanova University at University Field. Both shutout have come against Big East opponents as the Stags also kept Quinnipiac University off the scoreboard in a 3-0 decision earlier this month.

Fairfield's defense has performed well at home this season, surrendering just five goals in four games which included an extra 19-plus minutes of play in a date against Temple University. Mackenzie Boyle and Emily Kness along with the return of Luzi Persiehl to the back line have solidified the Stags defensive unit this season. Goalkeeper Zoe Rosen, who has ranked among the nation's leaders in both saves per game and save percentage, has also been a key component in defending Fairfield's final third.

"Mackenzie and Emily stopped everything going forward today," Head Coach Jackie Kane said. "They have been consistent all season and showed how they can impact game with their play this afternoon. Luzi is starting to get her feet underneath her and she did a good job of handling Villanova's pressure especially early in the game."

For the fourth time this season, Fairfield played to a scoreless draw at the end of the first half. Villanova had the better of things early in the game especially in the opening minutes when the Wildcats used a flurry of three shots that required a pair of saves from Rosen to keep the game even. As the half progressed, Fairfield began to create more opportunities, taking advantage with some long balls that often found their mark and encouraged play inside the circle. The Wildcats defense was equal to the task, often blocking those shots before reaching the goalkeeper.

In the third quarter, the Stags began to open things up and created more scoring chances as the period progressed. By the end of the quarter, Fairfield owned a 9-1 edge in shots and received all eight of the penalty corners called over the 15-minute span. With just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Stags broke through with a penalty corner started by Danielle Profita. Carmel Van Dijk received the insertion pass and found Malen Iglesias in the center of the circle. The senior finished the play with her third goal of the season to put the Stags in front in the 43rd minute.

Fairfield continued to dominate in the fourth quarter by allowing just one more shot by Villanova while setting up three scoring plays on its own. One of those three shots resulted in the Stags' second goal when Madison Hoskins redirected a ball sent forward by Persiehl to double Fairfield's advantage. 

"We played 60 minutes today and put everything together," Coach Kane said. "We have been consistently close but they believed in the game plan today and executed perfectly. I am really very happy for them and proud of the effort they put together today."

The Stags finished the game with a 16-7 advantage in shots and a 12-2 margin in penalty corners. Fairfield improves to 4-0 when it scores at least two goals in a game this season. The team brings a 4-5 overall record into next week which begins with its Northeast Conference opener against LIU at home on Friday afternoon. The Stags completed the weekend with a road game against Lafayette on October 4.