April 15, 2007
The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team ignored the powerful Nor'easter punishing Alumni Field to earn a key Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Lacrosse League win, 20-8, over Niagara University. The win gives the Stags a 7-8 overall record and a 4-1 mark in the league, while the Purple Eagles drop to 1-9 on the year and 1-5 in the MAAC.
With rain and wind pounding the field from the outset, the Stags wasted little time, scoring twice in the first 1:37, and netting six of the first seven goals. The Stags led 6-1 at the 14:35 mark of the first half and led 10-4 at the intermission. Fairfield scored three of the first four goals in the second period, for a 13-5 lead. After Niagara scored once at 20:51. Fairfield scored second of the next eight, including five straight, to open a 20-7 lead. Niagara tallied the final goal of the game at the 3:23 mark.
The final home game for the Stags this season, the trio of seniors, Ashley Chappell, Katie Keane and Sarah Masterson, contributed six points in the win. Masterson netted a pair of goals and two assists. The offensive leader was Kylee Martin, who finished with seven points, on six goals and an assist.
Defensivly Mary Vallely and Lauren Chatnik shut down the Purple Eagles. Vallely recorded six caused turnovers and six ground balls, to go along with a pair of goals. Chatnik minded the net making six saves in the game.
Fairfield out shot Niagara 45-20 in the game, including 23-8 in the second half. The Stags also held a 22-20 advantage in ground balls, and committed fewer turnovers, 21-15. The Stags caused 10 total turnovers, while Niagara caused only five.
Emma-Lee Harrison scored three goals, as did Lindsay Hamann, to lead the effort for the Purple Eagles. Leigh Downing had a pair of goals as well.
The Stags close out the regular season on the road, traveling to Siena on April 20 and LeMoyne on April 22.
