FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Head Coach Jackie Kane has put together a challenging schedule for the 2007 campaign which includes several in-state and regional rivals, plus the addition of defending Big 10 tournament champions University of Iowa.

The Stags will host the Hawkeyes on September 16, one day after Iowa will play Sacred Heart on the Fairfield University campus. When you factor in Fairfield will also face the rigors of its inaugural America East season, one can see that the Stags will have their work cut out for them throughout the 2007 regular-season.

The field hockey schedule also includes a compliment of in-state rivals as well, namely Yale (September 22), Sacred Heart (October 10), and Quinnipiac (October 17). In addition, Fairfield will play most of the Northeast 10 conference as it finishes its transition into America East, in essence giving the Stags two conference schedules this year.

The Stags open the season on the road by heading south for games against Virginia Commonwealth and William & Mary on August 25 and 26. The road trip ends on August 30 when Fairfield heads in the opposite direction for an August 30 date with Vermont. Coach Kane and her team open the home portion of its schedule on September 1 against Saint Joseph's University, four days before hosting Lehigh on September 5.

"We look forward to the challenges that this year's schedule sets before us," Coach Kane said. "With the experience of the veterans and a strong freshman class, I am confident that this team will be ready to accept those challenges."