NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Heading into the locker room tied with host Niagara at 5-5 in the 2024 MAAC opener, #19/24 Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse outscored the Purple Eagles, 9-2, in the second half to pull away for a 14-7 victory. Libby Rowe and Rylee Harrell each netted hat tricks for the Stags in their seventh consecutive victory.
 
With the win, the Stags improve to 7-1 on the season and 1-0 the MAAC. Niagara's six-game winning streak comes to an end as the Purple Eagles fall to 7-2 on the year with an 0-1 conference tally. Seven goals is a season-low for Niagara, which entered the day leading the MAAC with 15.75 goals scored per contest. For Fairfield, the defensive showing was the fifth time holding an opponent under 10 goals this season. The Stags have conceded two goals or fewer in 11 of their last 12 quarters.
 
The starting defensive unit was headed by Elizabeth Myers with three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Lindsey Barnes also had a pair of caused turnovers, with Christine Fabrizi causing a pair from the midfield. Claire Morris made six saves in the cage and also vacated the crease to pick up four grounders.
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Rowe's hat trick was her second of the campaign and 15th as a Stag. For Harrell, the three-goal effort was her first of the season and the eighth in her career. Amanda Kozak and Elizabeth Talluto each had two goals for Fairfield, with the quartet of Sarah Bucher, Maggie Fort, Brooke Marotti and Grace Slater chipping in one apiece.
 
Marotti and Slater were also the Stags' top facilitators with each doling out two assists.
 
In addition to her hat trick, Harrell kept the Stags on the offensive with nine draw controls, leading Fairfield to an 18-6 advantage on the restart. Brynn Donnelly hauled in four draw controls and Rowe nabbed three.
 
The Niagara attack was headed by four goals for the MAAC's goal scoring leader, Andra Savage, while Riley Latray extended her hold on the MAAC assist lead with three.
 
Jordan Roy started in goal for the Purple Eagles and made seven saves.
 
Fairfield Women's Lacrosse returns to action on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium this Wednesday, March 27 for a 3 p.m. visit from Iona. The Gaels are 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the MAAC following a 12-7 victory over The Mount today in New Rochelle.