FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Although it was only the sixth match of the season, the Fairfield University field hockey needed to pick up a win this afternoon ahead of a road trip that places the Stags against two quality opponents including the fifth-ranked team in the country. Head Coach Jackie Kane preached focus and resiliency to her student-athletes and it seemed as though the group heard every word on Sunday.

Despite falling behind 1-0 on a second-quarter penalty stroke, Fairfield rallied for two unanswered goals to post a 2-1 win over Lafayette College to finish its four-game home stand with a 2-2 mark. The team defeated the College of the Holy Cross earlier in the home stand to account for the victories.

"We took a huge step forward with this win today," Coach Kane said. "We maintained our game plan and stayed focused. The team stayed positive when things were not going our way. Our energy was there including from those who were not on the field and that is so important for us. I think they learned that they can come from behind and win a game and that will help us as we continue through the season."

Fairfield faces a challenging weekend with its road trip to Miami University of Ohio on Saturday and to fifth-ranked University of Louisville on Sunday. The Stags certainly received a boost with this win which should provide more confidence going into the upcoming road trip.

"I think the team saw today that what they do in training is working in the game," Coach Kane said. "I think that things will start falling into place especially with an effort like today. This should help with our confidence but we also still have to remember that doing the little things really well is what will help us win more games."
The Stags fell behind in the second quarter when a Fairfield defender was called for a foul in the circle resulting in the opposition earning a penalty stroke for the second straight match. Felicitas Hannes converted the opportunity in the 24^th minute to push the visiting team into the lead.

The lead lasted for nearly five minutes until Laia Vancells accepted a pass from Nora Amme just off the right post and sent a shot past the goalkeeper to level the match at 1-1 in the 29^th minute. The game would remain even heading into halftime despite the Stags holding a 5-2 edge in shots through the first 30 minutes.

Fairfield held a one-player advantage due to a yellow card being called in the closing seconds of the first half and the Stags took full advantage. Amme intercepted an attempted clearance pass just outside of the circle and immediately found Agustina Casteluchi cutting to the goal. Casteluchi secured the pass and drove the ball toward the bottom left corner of the goal to put the Stags in front for the first time at 2-1 in the 35^th minute.

The Stags' defense was spot on this afternoon, keeping Lafayette from putting any sustained pressure on goalkeeper Payton Rahn. But when she was called on, the sophomore was there to answer and keep Lafayette from tying the game.

Following next weekend's road trip, the Stags will return to University Field for their next home game on September 25 when they host Yale University. The game is slated for a 1 pm start.