FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University field hockey will open Northeast Conference (NEC) play on Friday at University Field, one of seven conference games on the docket for 2021. The Stags will also play a non-conference contest on Sunday when they travel to Lafayette College for a 2 pm match. Fairfield comes off a 2-0 win against Villanova University in its last outing, the program's second win over a Big East opponent this season.

The two-goal margin is key for the Stags as they improved to 4-0 when they score at least two goals in a match this season. The result was also the second shutout for Fairfield, picking up a clean sheet in a 3-0 result at Quinnipiac University earlier in the season. The Stags are looking to rekindle the magic that they experienced in 2019 when the Stags won the NEC regular-season with an unblemished 6-0 record and followed up with the conference tournament title in a sweep of Sacred Heart and Rider. Fairfield plays an NEC opponent in seven of its final 10 games including three straight after Sunday's match with Lafayette.

The Stags feature the top defense in the conference, coming into this week with an NEC-low 1.77 goals against average. Mackenzie Boyle and Emily Kness have anchored a back line that has provided a great deal of support for goalkeeper Zoe Rosen. Luzi Persiehl returned to the lineup last week which only strengthens the defensive unit. Rosen continues to place among the nation's leaders for saves per game (15th with 6.00 per game) and save percentage (17th with .771 mark). Up front, Malen Iglesias represents the top offensive threat to date with a team-best three goals and a team-high seven points. Danielle Profita established herself as the team's top play maker with a team-leading three assists to go along with her two goals.

LIU enters this Friday's match with a 2-6 overall record, posting a 1-0 win over Lehigh before dropping consecutive decisions to American University (3-0) and Towson University (1-0). The Sharks have received offensive support from graduate student Sammy Bell who leads the team with four goals and eight points. She posted a goal against Bucknell and Hofstra as well as two goals in the Providence game. Felicia King would be next with a goal and two assists for four points. Goalkeeper Rachel Vellis has played in every game this season, sporting a 2.20 goals against average with a .667 save percentage.

Lafayette brings a 6-2 overall record into the weekend, welcoming Colgate University on Saturday and Fairfield on Sunday afternoon. The Leopards collected a 4-1 win over Holy Cross in its last outing, the third time that the team reached four goals in a game. The team owns a 4-0 record at home this season. Audrey Sawers leads the team in scoring with 14 points, dishing off a team-best six assists as part of that total. Molly McAndrew is next in line with a team-best five goals and three assists for 13 points. Hailey Abbott has played all but three minutes in the Lafayette goal this season, registering a 0.88 goals against average with a .720 save percentage.