The Fairfield University women’s lacrosse team earned its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Lacrosse League regular season crown since 2003 with a 24-13 win over Siena College on Lessing Field this afternoon.  The Stags have now won 16 consecutive games, improving to 16-1, and 6-0 in league play, while the Saints fall to 3-11.

After a quick Fairfield start, a 3-0 lead 3:52 into the game, Siena rallied to tie the contest, 3-3, at the 22:44 mark.  The Stags would out score the Saints 12-6 the remainder of the half, including a 7-1 run from 13:22 through the 1:29 mark.  The Stags would open the second half with a 4-1 run, and score the final four goals of the contest, for the final margin of victory.

The Stags received a six-point effort from Erin Rigby, including four goals and two assists, to pace the offense.  She also tallied the game-winning goal, with 1:29 remaining in the first half.  Rebecca White had five points, three goals, while Abbey Goodwin and Kristen Coleman each tallied three goals and one assist for four points.  All told the Stags had 13 players score at least one goal, with 15 players recording a point in the win.  Erin Rigby

Lauren Chatnik made 12 saves in picking up the victory in net for Fairfield.  White helped the defensive effort as well with a team-high four caused turnovers, with the team finishing with 12.  Liz Peters made 10 saves in the game, while the Saints caused 16 turnovers.

Lindsey Rosencrans and Kathryn Marcantonio each touched net three times, with one assist, to pace the Saints offense.  Rosecrans, along with Katie Ostrye, each had four caused turnovers.

The regular season MAAC title is the programs fifth all-time (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003) and the fourth undefeated conference campaign.  The Stags 16 wins equals the most wins in a season by any MAAC team, equaling the mark set by LeMoyne last season (which included a pair of postseason wins).

Fairfield will be the top-seed at the MAAC Tournament, April 25-27, at Iona College.  The Stags will take on Iona College in a semifinal at either noon or 3 p.m. on Friday, with Marist College and Canisius College meeting in the other semifinal.