FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team continue play in the Northeast Conference (NEC) this weekend when it travels to Merrimack College on Friday and Stonehill College on Sunday. The Stags will try to build on the momentum they gained from last Friday's overtime road win over Wagner College.

Forward Alex Senior paced the offense with a pair of goals in the 3-2 win over the Seahawks, a match up which featured the two teams that played for the NEC title a year ago. The senior tallied a tying goal and a game-winning goal during the afternoon, posting the team's first goal in the second quarter before ending the match in walk-off fashion by beating the goalkeeper in the first overtime. For her efforts, Senior was named the NEC Offensive Player of the Week.

She pushed her goal total to four on the season, one off team leader Pilar Mengotti. Mengotti gained her fifth goal of the season in the second half that gave a one-goal edge to the Stags before Wagner knotted the score with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. The defender has posted a goal in four of her seven starts this season and is responsible for one game-winning goal (Villanova).

Goalkeeper Payton Rahn continues to keep the opposition in check along with a solid back defensive line that has allowed two goals or less five times this season. The Stags own a 3-2 record in those matches including wins over Villanova, Lehigh, and Wagner. Rahn is one of two goalkeepers in the NEC with at least one shutout and a goals against average under 2.00, checking into this weekend with a 1.98 mark. She has 24 saves to her credit through her seven starts.

Merrimack won its NEC opener as well with a 4-3 decision over Mercyhurst University on September 19. The Warriors overcame a 2-0 deficit when four different Merrimack student-athletes tallied a goal to take a 4-2 lead early in the fourth quarter. Whitney Dacko, Ciara Ryan, Gianna Cioni, and Erin Cottam were responsible for the four goals.

The foursome along with Delaney Weiler are tied for the team's top spot with one goal each. Goalkeeper Isabelle  Gardiner has started all seven matches and has registered a .649 save percentage (72 saves).

Stonehill also won its NEC opener last Friday, recording a 4-3 win over Rider University in extra time. Emma McGrory netted the deciding goal while Siena De Roeck added two goals during the afternoon. Havana De Roeck collected the NEC Rookie of the Week for her goal against the Broncs, her second goal of the campaign.

Siena De Roeck's three goals pace the Stonehill offense to date. Isabelle Morton has played every minute in the Stonehill goal, making 39 saves in seven starts (.565 save percentage).
Fairfield will finish up its five-match road trip this weekend, returning home for conference match ups against Sacred Heart University (October 3) and the University of New Haven (October 5).