EASTON, Pa. – Despite holding advantages in most statistical categories, the Fairfield University field hockey team came up short in its 2025 season debut, falling to Lafayette College by a 2-0 count on the road.

The Stags put pressure on the Leopards throughout the game, accumulating 16 shots during the 60-minute match. Fairfield posted more shots than its opponent in the first, third, and fourth quarters including a 7-1 edge in the third period. Still, Lafayette was able to find the back of the net twice on its seven shots on target.

In the first quarter, the home team managed just one shot but it found its way into the back of the goal just six minutes into the game. Linda Nova completed the scoring chance that was set up by Josephine van Wijk at the 9:07 mark.

The Leopards doubled their advantage in the second quarter after Stella Malinowski completed a penalty stroke in the 21^st minute of the contest, pushing the score to 2-0. Fairfield also had a penalty stroke opportunity in the first quarter when Lafayette was whistled for an infraction during a penalty corner. The Stags attempt went wide of the left post to keep Lafayette in the lead.

Fairfield had another close call in the second quarter following a penalty corner. The Stags set up the play by sending the ball to the top of the circle. The ball ended up on the stick of Pilar Mengotti who released a shot that beat the goalkeeper but the ball hit the post and bounced away from danger in the 22^nd minute.

Fairfield dominated the second half by outshooting Lafayette by a 9-2 margin but could not find a way to solve goalkeeper Raffi Fragomeni. The senior posted five saves in the match but she turned away four shots in the second half. Four of Fairfield's third-quarter shots came as a result of penalty corners with two requiring saves from Fragomeni.

The Stags' goalkeeper Payton Rahn was equally on task during her 60 minutes of work, also making five saves in the game. All five of her stops came in the third quarter as she faced on one shot in each of the first, second, and fourth quarters.

The Fairfield University field hockey team will continue its season-opening road trip with a game at 11^th-ranked Syracuse University on Sunday. The game is slated for a 1 pm start. The Stags will open the home portion of their schedule on Friday, September 5 against Villanova University.