FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Opening the season with a top-10 team in not an easy task, a scenario which the Fairfield University field hockey team faced this afternoon against ninth-ranked Syracuse University. While the scoreboard showed a 2-1 setback for the Stags, the team showed that it's ready to pick up where it left off in 2025.
"I am immensely happy with the effort and the game plan we put together," Head Coach
Laura Gebhart said. "They executed and competed throughout the game and that's all I can ask for. At the end of the game when we were looking to score, the team really put it together. I am really proud of how hard they worked and how they adapted against a nationally-ranked team."
Coach Gebhart saw her team attack early and keep Syracuse in check for the entire first quarter. In fact, there was just one shot through the first 15 minutes and that attempt from
Amanda Dressel found the back of the cage for a 1-0 Fairfield lead just 10 minutes into the game.
The Orange found their footing in the second quarter, accounting for six of their nine shots taken in the game. Just three minutes into the period, Syracuse earned a penalty corner which was taken by Aubrey Turner. The ball was sent to the top of the circle where Jess Liddell sent a shot toward goal. Turner put herself back in play by tipping the ball past goalkeeper
Paige Jackson to tie the score at 1-1.
The visitors took the lead for good with under six minutes remaining in the quarter. Jovie Weaver secured a loose ball inside the circle and flicked a shot into the upper half of the goal to push Syracuse in front at 2-1. The Orange challenged a few more times in the quarter but Jackson was able to make three of her five saves to keep the game within reach.
Fairfield held a slight advantage in the third quarter by taking two of the three shots over the 15 minutes, forcing goalkeeper Tane King to make one save. The Stags made several runs in the fourth quarter but came away with one shot for their effort, finishing the game with seven shots.
Six different Fairfield student-athletes came away with a shot in this game with
Camille Perlov accounting for two of those attempts. Both teams attempted two penalty corners with both of Syracuse's corners coming in the second quarter.
The Stags will continue their three-game home stand on Sunday when they host the College of the Holy Cross. Game time is slated for noon.
