FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team made its debut in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) national coaches poll, moving into the 20^th slot along with Drexel University. The ranking complements Fairfield's national presence with the team's berth to the NCAA Championship which begins on Wednesday.

"I'm so proud of this team," Head Coach Laura Gebhart said. "They've been grinding week to week, game by game, and it's cool to see their efforts rewarded with an NCAA tournament bid and presence on the NFHCA Coaches Poll. It doesn't change our approach and mindset going into the next game. This team set bold goals at the beginning of the year, and we're still working to see those through."

The Stags return to the national poll for the first time since November 12, 2019 when they were ranked 25^th. Fairfield was ranked eight times that season and reached as high as 23^rd in Division I. As for the NCAA tournament, Fairfield returns for the second time in as many years, the first time that the program earned back-to-back national tournament bids.

The team now has the task of preparing for Boston University, the 2025 Patriot League champion. The two teams will meet with the winner advancing to play host Princeton University on Friday at noon. Fairfield and Boston University met two previous times in the NCAA tournament with the Terriers hosting and winning both matches (2015 and 2017).

Fairfield picked up its berth to the NCAA tournament by defeating Rider University in the semifinals and Wagner College in the final of the NEC Championship. With thetwo victories, the team has won three straight matches and 13 of its last 14 games. The only blemish during that run came at the hands of UConn, currently ranked 13^th in the current NFHCA poll.

The Stags have excelled on both sides of the pitch, ranking fourth nationally in scoring offense (3.71 goals per game) and in scoring margin (+2.35 per game). The team has scored a school record 71 goals this year and allowed just 26 goals in 20 games.

Fairfield's offensive prowess stems from a trio of seniors who have paced the attack all season. Konni Hofmann leads the team in scoring with 29 points, netting 12 goals and dishing off five assists through her 20 appearances. Alex Senior is next in line with 25 points, posting 10 goals and five assists in 20 games. And, Pilar Mengotti, the NEC Defender of the Year, has contributed up front with nine goals and six assists for 24 points.

The Stags back line has performed admirably with six shutouts including both NEC Championship matches. The unit did not yield a shot to Rider in the semifinals and only allowed seven attempts against Wagner. This season, Fairfield has allowed one goal or less in 13 of its 20 games. At the heart of the defense stands goalkeeper Payton Rahn who has garnered a 1.33 goals against average with a .671 save percentage.

Boston University collected its fifth Patriot League title and 13^th conference championship last weekend. The Terriers bring an 8-10 overall record in the NCAA Championship which includes a 3-3 mark in Patriot League play.

Caroline O'Brien, who registered the first hat trick in a Patriot League game against Lafayette last Sunday, is the team's top scorer in 2025 with 15 goals and seven assists for 37 points. She has scored in seven games this season with six of those being multi-goal efforts. Molly Driscoll ranks second among her teammates with 14 points, recording five goals and four assists on the season. Goalkeeper Sophie Ortyl has started 16 matches this season and has a 2.61 goals against average with a .637 save percentage off 72 stops.