FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The first athletic contest of the 2026 season on the Fairfield University campus will take place when the Fairfield Women's Soccer team welcomes Boston University to Lessing Field on Thursday night at 6pm. The Stags are coming off their first win of the campaign in a 3-2 thrilling victory over UMass Lowell that featured two goals from Ella Pisani.
 
The Stags came from behind twice in their victory before an 84th minute goal from Pisani gave them their first lead of the match. Pisani's first career goal tied the match at 1-1 late in the first half. Ashlyn Walsh notched her first score of the season to knot the game at 2-2 in the 69th minute. Brooke Kennedy set up Pisani's game winner on a perfectly placed ball towards the far post that the senior was able to chase down and finish in the back of the net.
 
A pair of freshmen picked up their first collegiate points in the victory with Mary Grusser assisting on Pisani's first goal and Bella Bingham setting up Walsh's score in the second half.
 
Kennedy's assist was also the first of her collegiate career while Walsh tallied the 34th point of her career by picking up her ninth career goal.
 
The Stags out-shot the River Hawks 27-9 in the match, the 58th time they have registered 20 or more shots under Head Coach David Barrett.
 
The Terriers were picked to finish second in the Patriot League while hosting three Preseason All-Conference student-athletes in: Helene Tyburczy, Ciara Kennedy, and Olivia Avellar.
 
Boston University is under the direction of Megan Burke, who was an assistant coach with the Stags for four seasons, helping the Stags to over 35 wins and a spot in the MAAC Championship Final.
 
The Stags will continue their opening home stand with a visit from Rutgers on Sunday at 2pm.