Field Hockey Opens Campaign With 3-1 Win At Lafayette

EASTON, Pa. – When Head Coach Jackie Kane brought her team back to camp, she wasn't sure where she would be able to turn to find offense. Graduation took nearly two-thirds of the Stags' goal scoring from 2017 so making up that those numbers were an obvious concern for the coaching staff. But in tonight's season opener, Coach Kane found offense regardless of which way she turned, whether it was right, left, or directly behind her. Three different Stags found the back of the cage this evening which resulted in a solid 3-1 win over Lafayette College. "This was a total team effort tonight," Coach Kane said. "The team was prepared and was able to not only handle the pressure brought by Lafayette but also do it at a high level." It took a little time for both teams to find their stride, nothing unusual for two squads playing their first game. There were a few opportunities, but for the most part, the defenses were able to clear any potential danger quickly and efficiently. Lafayette was the first team to finally break through when Caroline Turnbull pushed her team in the lead with an unassisted goal at the 18:39 mark of the opening half. But before the home team finished celebrating the lead, Fairfield quickly answered with the tying goal just 41 seconds later. The score was a result of Corrine Persichetti finding Kaley McMullen inside the circle, who quickly sent a shot past goalkeeper Sarah Park. "The big game changer for us was our answer goal in less than a minute," Coach Kane said. "It was really an important moment in the game. I am really proud of the team." Fairfield added one more goal in the opening half as newcomer Iona Aurora converted a pass from Sam Giordano with just under three minutes remaining. Just as the Stags doubled up the score by intermission, they also owned a similar advantage by outshooting the Leopards by a 6-3 count in the opening 35 minutes. The Stags would put the game out of reach late in the second half when Danielle Profita, the team's top returning scorer, would tally the team's third goal after accepting a pass from Kelly Buckley. With a 3-1 lead in hand, Stags goalkeeper Zoe Rosen had a comfortable margin with which she could work and kept the home team in check by making three saves. She faced a barrage of shots toward the end of the half as Lafayette ended up taking 10 attempts over the final 35 minutes. By game's end, Lafayette held a 13-12 advantage in shots as the Stags posted six more shots in the second half. Fairfield will play its home opener on Sunday afternoon when Villanova University comes to University Field. The two teams will face off at 1 pm.