FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team started the 2024 season on the right foot with a 2-1 come from behind win over Holy Cross at Lessing Field on Thursday afternoon. Junior Maddy Theriault scored her 19th career goal while freshman Ashlyn Walsh tallied her first collegiate score, the game-winner in the season opening victory.
 
"I'm happy the team found a way to get it done today," Head Coach David Barrett said. "We made some adjustments at halftime. Maddy was really good today, and Ashlyn scored a nice goal. We still have a lot to work on but obvious I'm very pleased that we were able to come away with the win."
 
Both of Fairfield's (1-0) goals came in the second half as Theriault scored on a failed clearance to tie the game in the 48^th minutes. Theriault would also be at the forefront in Fairfield's second goal as she launched a through ball that the rookie Walsh was able to chase down and convert her chance against the Crusaders' goalkeeper in the 66^th minute.
 
Theriault would lead the game with six shots with four of those on target. It is the second-straight season opening contest where Theriault has tallied three points on a goal and an assist. She raises her career point total to an even 50.
 
Fairfield fell behind in just the seventh minute as Charlotte Hanchar pushed her shot past the keeper to open up the scoring at 1-0. Holy Cross controlled the offensive flow in the first half by holding the ball 53 percent of the time.
 
Sam Erickson picked up a key defensive play on a well-timed tackle in the box to takeaway a clear scoring chance for Holy Cross midway through the first stanza.
 
Despite trailing the time of possession, Fairfield took more shots than Holy Cross in both halves while finishing with 13 attempts compared to 11 for the visiting side. Walsh was the only other Stag with multiple attempts as she took three shots in her collegiate debut.
 
Junior Kate Wright made three saves in net for her first win of the year and the 25th of her career.
 
The Stags will stay in the state of Connecticut but travel for their first road game when they visit Central Connecticut State on Sunday night at 7pm.