FAIRFIELD, Conn. – #20/25 Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse will play its first game this season as nationally-ranked team when Sacred Heart comes to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. Opening draw is slated for 4 p.m.
 
The #20/25 Fairfield University Stags (5-1, 0-0 MAAC)

• The Stags claimed their first IWLCA national ranking since 2009 at #25 and are also ranked #20 in the USA Lacrosse poll.
• Fairfield's five-game winning streak includes two nationally-ranked opponents (#24 UConn, #23 UAlbany) and three 2023 NCAA postseason teams (UConn, UAlbany, Drexel).
• Elizabeth Talluto leads a balanced Fairfield offense with 21 goals and 28 total points.
• The defense is headed by Lindsey Barnes with 21 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.
• Claire Morris, the reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, owns a .450 save percentage and a 10.00 goals-against average.

 
The Sacred Heart University Pioneers (2-4, 1-1 NEC)

• The reigning NEC Champion Pioneers opened conference play with a 7-6 overtime loss at Le Moyne and a 7-6 win over LIU to move to 2-4 on the season.
• Sacred Heart also has a win over Quinnipiac with losses to UMass Lowell, Bryant and Brown.
• Offensively, Emma Kittredge leads SHU with eight goals.
• Lisa Martin protects the Pioneers' cage with a .473 save percentage and 11.95 GAA.

 
Series History

• The Stags are 16-0 all-time against Sacred Heart.
• The series began in 1998, then was resumed and has been played annually since 2008, with the exception of the cancelled 2020 season and the truncated 2021 season in which only conference games were played.
• Fairfield and Sacred Heart are set to be conference foes in the MAAC beginning in the 2025 campaign.

 
Up Next

• Fairfield opens the MAAC schedule next Saturday, March 23 with a noon draw at Niagara.
• The Purple Eagles are 6-1, including a 3-0 home tally. They will play Columbia in Naples, Fla. on Sunday before hosting the Stags.
• The Stags return to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium for back-to-back conference clashes against Iona on March 27 and Canisius on March 30.