The Fairfield University women’s lacrosse team earned its first-ever win over Lehigh University, with 14-13 overtime win this afternoon on Alumni Field.  The win is the fifth straight for the Stags, now 5-1, while the Mountain Hawks fall to 5-4.

Lehigh scored the final six goals of regulation, all in the last 12:01, to force the extra period, at 12-12.  The Mountain Hawks won the opening draw of the overtime period, but Kristen Coleman got the ball back with a caused turnover 12 seconds later.  Coleman would then give the Stags the lead, feeding Cristin Lucena with 4:52 remaining in the extra period.  The Mountain Hawks knotted the score with 3:11 to play on a goal by Allison Thomas.

Mary Vallely caused a turnover for the Stags, with 2:47 to play, after Lehigh had captured the draw to begin the second half of overtime.  Fairfield controlled the ball for the next minute until Coleman put home what would prove to be the game-winner with 1:50 to play.  Lauren Chatnik stopped a point blank shot with 1:22 left in the game, to preserve the one goal advantage.

Regulation was a game of runs, as Lehigh began the game with four straight tallies, for a 4-0 lead with 19:57 to play in the first half. The Stags answered with six sstraight goals and eight of nine to end the half, and take an 8-5 lead into the intermission.  Fairfield’s offense continued to click in the second half, after the Mountain Hawks scored 46 seconds into the period.  The Stags scored four straight, for a 12-6 lead with 17:08 to play.  Lehigh’s Lauren Dykstra scored five goals in the final 12:01 of regulation, and assisted on the other, to help knot the score.

Coleman finished the game with five goals and two assists.  Kylee Martin had a goal and three assists, while Kim Fuchs netted three goals.  Vallely led the Stags with six caused turnovers, as well as an assist.

Chatnik made 11 saves in the win, including two saves in overtime.  Her Lehigh counterpart, Kelsy Ferris, made 12 saves.  Dykstra led all scorers with nine points, including seven goals.

Fairfield caused 17 turnovers, while Lehigh forced 12.  The Stags had a 22-19 advantage in ground balls, but were out shot 33-32 for the game.  The Stags cleared the ball 17-22, while the Mountain Hawks were 21-24.

The Stags will return to action on March 26 when they travel to Wagner for a 3:30 p.m. contest.