HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – After an historic week at home for Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse, the Stags went on the road on Saturday and picked up their first victory of 2024 away from Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. Guided by five points for Libby Rowe and four Elizabeth Talluto goals, the Stags knocked off host Hofstra, 12-9, at Shuart Stadium.
 
With their third straight win, the Stags improve to 3-1. Fairfield was receiving votes in the most recent IWLCA Coaches' Poll after last week's wins over #24 UConn and #23 UAlbany. Hofstra slides to 1-2 in defeat.
 
Rowe's five points consisted of a hat trick and a pair of assists. The four goals for Talluto boost her team-leading total 15 goals and 19 points through four games of her graduate student campaign.
 
Grace Slater added a pair of goals for Fairfield with single tallies coming off the sticks of Brooke Marotti, Maggie Fort and Rylee Harrell. Christine Fabrizi doled out two assists, and Amanda Kozak also handed out a helper.
 
Fairfield stayed on the attack courtesy of a 16-8 advantage on the draw. Harrell won eight and Rowe collected five from outside the circle, while Brynn Donnelly nabbed three herself working at the dot.
 
Defensively, the back line produced its third straight game conceding 10 goals or fewer. Lindsey Barnes and Julia Rigolizzo each posted a caused turnover and a ground ball to head that effort, and Claire Morris made five saves to salt away the win in the cage.
 
The duo of Nikki and Taylor Mennella combined for five goals and two assists to lead Hofstra on offense. Luchianna Cardello had five stops protecting the cage for the Pride.
 
After a week off from competition, the Stags will return to action with back-to-back outings on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium against Vermont (March 6) and Drexel (March 9). Admission is free for all fans to all Fairfield Women's Lacrosse regular season home games this season.