LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – #23 Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse shut down one of the MAAC's top offenses to lock up the top seed in the conference championship. The Stags held Siena to just eight goals – including only two in the first half – to drop the second-place Saints, 11-8, in the regular season finale on Saturday in Loudonville.
Maggie Fort scored four goals to lead the Stags offensively in the victory.
With the win, the Stags complete an unbeaten 9-0 MAAC regular season as part of a 15-1 overall mark. Fairfield has won 15 consecutive games since dropping its regular season opener – the nation's longest active winning streak. Siena slips to 12-4 overall and 7-2 in the MAAC.
Fairfield's regular season title is the program's second straight. The Stags have won four of the last five regular season crowns and 15 total since joining the varsity ranks in 1997. In the postseason, Fairfield has won the last five MAAC Championships – including the 2023 title at Rafferty Stadium.
Fort matched her career high with her four goals, while
Libby Rowe and
Rylee Harrell added two tallies apiece for the Stags. The Stags also got single goals from
Sarah Bucher,
Amanda Kozak and
Elizabeth Talluto. Five of the Fairfield's 11 markers were of the assisted variety, with
Christine Fabrizi and
Kelly Haggerty each handing out a pair and Rowe dishing one helper.
In the midfield, Rowe and
Brynn Donnelly each reeled in four draw controls, while
Haley Burns nabbed two to keep the Stags on offense. Burns also produced three caused turnovers and four ground balls.
Fairfield's defense, which has now held 14 of its last 15 opponents to 10 goals or fewer, was anchored by nine saves for
Claire Morris. The unit in front of her featured two caused turners and two ground balls from
Lindsey Barnes as well as and pair of grounders collected by
Elizabeth Myers.
Siena was led by a goal and four assists from Grace Dobrzynski, the nation's assist leader entering the day. Olivia Nicholson added a hat trick for the Saints.
As the top seed, Fairfield has earned a bye to the semifinals of the MAAC Championship on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. The Stags will face an opponent to be determined on Friday, May 3, with the championship game set for Sunday, May 5.
