SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The schedule sent the Fairfield University field hockey team to nationally-ranked Syracuse University on Sunday afternoon, completing a two-game season-opening road trip. Despite a strong second-half effort by the Stags, the team came away with a 5-2 setback against the 11^th-ranked Orange.

Fairfield outscored Syracuse by a 2-1 count in the second, making a portion of its 4-0 half time deficit. The Orange did a good portion of their damage in the opening minutes of the game, scoring in the fourth and seventh minutes to take a 2-0 lead.

The first goal came off a counter which allowed Hattie Madden to run down a bouncing ball deep inside the circle. She sent the ball across the goal mouth where Liz Strange was able to tap the ball into the left side of the goal. The second goal was a result of a penalty corner which Bo Van Kampen, who six goals in Syracuse's season opener, finished by redirecting a cross from the right side.

The home team added two more goals in the second quarter, the first coming in the 19^th minute of the match when Lieke Leeggangers put back the ball toward goal for the team's third of the game. Van Kampen closed out the scoring by completing a penalty stroke, tucking her shot just inside the left post.

After halftime, Fairfield found its footing offensively and became more familiar with the Syracuse defense. Kaelyn Fogelson garnered her first collegiate goal just five minutes into the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 4-1. Van Kampen regained the Syracuse's four-goal edge with her third goal of the contest, finishing a penalty corner set forth by Pati Strunk and Strange.

Fairfield ended the day's scoring later in the quarter when Pilar Mengotti finished a pass from Alice Pifferi to bring the score to its final of 5-2. Pifferi registered her first assist of the season after dishing off a team-best 10 a year ago.

Goalkeeper Peyton Rahn held her own against the Syracuse offense, making six saves over her 60 minutes. She picked up a stop in each of the four quarters including four in the first half.

The Fairfield University field hockey team will return home for a two-game home stand next weekend, beginning with a match up against Villanova University. The Wildcats and Stags will meet up at University Field on Friday, September 5 for a 4 pm game. The home weekend will conclude when Fairfield welcomes Lehigh University on Sunday, September 7 at 1 pm.