FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team found its path in the NCAA Championship with the pairing announcement on Sunday night. The Stags will open play with an opening round game against Wagner College on Wednesday, November 11 at 2 pm  in College Park, Md. with the winner advancing to a first-round match up against host and second-seed University of Maryland.

"We are very excited to be playing in the tournament and to be playing at the University of Maryland," Head Coach Laura Gebhart said. "With that excitement, we need to stay focused and take the same approach we have all season as we prepare to play Wagner on Wednesday."

Fairfield earned the right to play in the national tournament after capturing the CAA Championship with a 3-1 win over fourth-seeded Northeastern University in a semifinal match followed by a 2-1 win against second-seeded Monmouth University in the championship game.

The victory assured that Fairfield would play in the NCAA Championship for the third straight year. Fairfield will be participating in the national tournament for the eighth time and the fourth time in the last six seasons. The program has two wins in the tournament, defeating #23 American in 2019 and Boston University in 2025.

The Stags will be returning to College Park for the second time in its NCAA tournament history, playing the University of Maryland in Fairfield's first-ever NCAA appearances in 2001. Fairfield earned the berth after capturing the Patriot League title.

Fairfield will take on Wagner College in the opening round of the NCAA Championship. The Seahawks captured the NEC title and automatic berth with its 3-2 overtime win against Sacred Heart University. Wagner will be making their first trip to the NCAA Championship.