EASTON, Pa. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team finished up its weekend road trip with a split after coming up short at Lafayette College this afternoon. The Stags led twice in the game, scoring the game's first goal and later taking a 2-1 advantage before the home team rallied with a goal in both the third and fourth quarters to account for the one-goal victory.

Agustina Casteluchi opened the scoring for both teams with her first quarter goal just six minutes in the game. She finished off a play that began with Catalina Ness controlling the ball and sending a pass to Casteluchi who beat the goalkeeper to the near side.

The goal held up until the 25^th minute when Lafayette took advantage of a set piece that set up India Ralph who sent a shot toward goal from the left circle. Stella Malinowski was able to get her stick on Ralph's initial shot and deflected the ball into the goal.

Ness returned to the box score just two minutes into the third quarter when she finished a scoring chance from the side of the goal, putting the Stags back in front by a 2-1 score. Malinowski also put her name on the scoring line for a second time when she controlled a rebound in the center of the circle and sent a shot back on target to make Lafayette even once again at 2-2.

Both teams had opportunities in the fourth quarter but both goalkeepers were able to keep the game level for most of the final 15 minutes. The Leopards took their first lead of the game with just under three minutes remaining in regulation. Lafayette earned a penalty corner which started with Katie Gibb sending a pass to Malinowski, who finished the play with her third goal of the game.

Fairfield goalkeeper Payton Rahn finished the game with five saves while Lafayette goalkeeper Raffi Fragomeni turned away six shots, including one off a penalty corner in the final minute of play.

The Stags will return to the pitch on Sunday, September 24 when they host Villanova University for a 1 pm match. The date starts a stretch where Fairfield will play four of five games at home after spending four of their first five games away from campus.