FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team will play a pair of Northeast Conference (NEC) matches this weekend that could solidify the Stags' position in the conference standings as well as sure up a spot in the NEC championship come November. But the team will face two formidable opponents in Wagner College and LIU, two teams that are also looking to make the four-team championship field.

Wagner comes to the Fairfield University campus on Friday afternoon for a 3 pm game while the Stags will close out the weekend by heading to LIU on Sunday afternoon for a 12 pm match. The Seahawks make the trip to Connecticut as the lone remaining unbeaten team in conference play, sporting a 4-0 mark against NEC foes. The Stags and Rider University each have one loss in NEC action while LIU is currently fourth with its 2-1 mark.

Fairfield, which has won three straight and five of its last six outings, returned to the .500 mark at 7-7 overall following its win over Quinnipiac University last Sunday. The Stags feature two student-athletes who earned weekly honors from the conference in Konni Hofmann and Frances Mirabile.

Hofman garnered both the Co-Offensive Player of the Week as well as the Co-Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals and an assist which included the game winners against both Saint Francis University and Quinnipiac. Mirabile not only helped shut down both teams from her defender position, but also added a goal and four assists in her two appearances last week.

Newcomer Nora Amme retains the top spot on the Stags' scoring list with 15 points, accounting for four goals and a team-best seven assists in her 14 games played. Julianna Kratz is next in line with four goals and two assists for 10 points in  her 10 appearances this year. Goalkeeper Payton Rahn enjoyed a strong week inside the circle which brought her season statistics to a 2.09 goals against average with a .714 save percentage (75 saves).

Wagner brings a four-game winning streak into Friday's match up which included three consecutive NEC victories and a non-conference decision over La Salle in its last game played. The Seahawks scored three or more goals in each of those four victories.

Julia Pasterino has enjoyed a great deal of success inside the circle this year with her team-highs in goals (9), assists (9), and points (27). Laura van Hamburg and Liselotte Koop each have set the team standard with three game-winning goals each. Goalkeeper Daisy Ruhle has started all 14 of the team's games this season, registering a 1.52 goals against average and a .752 save percentage off her 69 saves.

LIU has split its last eight games which has led to the team's 6-9 overall record, a stretch which has included three NEC wins. The team has the ability to score goals, scoring three or more goals in four contests which led to a 4-0 record in those contests.

The Sharks have two student-athletes who have reached double figures in scoring, namely Saarah Olton and Meilin Liotard. Olton paces the offense with 14 points, registering seven goals and two assists with two game-winning scores. Liotard has registered half of her 12 points off assists, claiming a team-best six assists along with three goals. Goalkeeper Maggie Streichert has played most of the minutes for the Sharks, sporting a 2.19 goals against average wit a .709 save percentage which includes 73 saves in 14 matches.

Following this weekend's slate, Fairfield will close out the regular season one week later with a pair of home games. The Stags entertain Stonehill College on Friday, October 28 for their final NEC match before taking on La Salle University on October 30.