BOSTON – Mia Strazzella was the first Stag to cross the finish line on Saturday, setting the pace for Fairfield University Women's Cross Country at the New England Championship at Franklin Park in Boston. Strazzella completed the 5K course in 19:45.3 as the 12th freshman and 44th harrier overall to break the tape.
 
Strazzella was followed by fellow first-years Natalie Haracz and Isabella Colabatistto, who placed 51st and 84th in the field of 160 runners. Emily Dalla Riva and Claire Mason completed the five scorers for the Stags, with Catherine Lanahan, Megan Furlong, Michaela Kenny, Molly Ryle, Caroline Burns and Kierra Pickard also hitting the course on Saturday in Boston.
 
On the team ledger, the Stags' 12-place finish slotted them ahead of Bryant, Bentley, Hartford, Merrimack, American International and Simmons. Northwestern won the team crown led by four of the top six finishers. The individual New England Champion is Dartmouth's Ellie Tymorek with a winning team of 18:04.8. Tymorek guided Big Green to second place in the team standings.
 
Up next for the Stags is the CCSU Mini Meet at Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 20. The local race is Fairfield's final tune-up for the upcoming MAAC Championship.