Fairfield, Conn. - The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team earned its 14th consecutive victory, rallying to defeat Columbia University 10-9 on Lessing Field. The Stags improve to 14-1 on the year, while the Lions fall to 3-9. The win marked the Stags first in eight tries against the Ivy league member.

In a game that was tight throughout, the largest lead was a 4-1 Fairfield advantage with 2:52 to play in the first half, was decided in the final 10:38 of the game. Megan Donovan gave the Lions an 8-7 advantage with 13:10 to play. Kristen Coleman tied the game, 8-8, with an unassisted goal at the 10:38 mark. Kylee Martin put Fairfield ahead 41 seconds later with an unassisted tally.

Columbia knotted the score 9-9 with 7:45 to play in the game, the sixth tie of the contest. The teams traded possessions after the ensuing draw, until Martin fed Kim Fuchs for a tally with 4:25 to play and the game-winning goal.

Lauren Chatnik earned the win in net for the Stags, making 10 saves in the process. Emma Mintz recorded 14 saves for Columbia.

The Stags opened the scoring 44 seconds into the contest with an unassisted goal from Coleman. The defense's would be the story throughout the first half however, as neither team scored for over 12 minutes, until a Cristin Lucena tally made it 2-0 with 17:10 to play. The Stags would build a 4-1 lead with 2:52 to play in the first half, but Holly Glynn netted two goals before the half to get Columbia within a goal, 4-3. Glynn would lead all scorers with six goals on the day.

Coleman netted a hat trick on the day, and in the process tied the single-season school record for points, with 71 (Colleen Cunningham, 2001). Martin, Fuchs and Abbey Goodwin each had a pair of goals in the contest.

Fairfield held an 11-10 advantage in draw controls on the day. The teams were both 19-22 on clear attempts; each team had 14 ground balls and had 13 turnovers. The Stags out shot the Lions 32-24, and committed fewer fouls, 28-27.

The Stags return to action on Friday night, hosting LeMoyne College at 7:00 p.m. on Lessing Field in the final non-conference game of the season.

2008-04-16