FAIRFIELD, CT – Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse – the 2018 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champions – has announced the 16 games that comprise its 2019 schedule. The non-conference slate is highlighted by a visit from Denver – one of 10 contests to be played on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium – as well as familiar foes from the Big East, Colonial Athletic Association, Patriot League, America East and Northeast Conference.
"Our focus for out of conference play continues to be preparing our team for the rigors of the MAAC by playing the best competition possible," said Head Coach
Laura Field. "We continue to challenge our squad with opponents from traditionally strong conference such as the Big East, CAA, Ivy League and Patriot League leading in to the always competitive MAAC season."
The campaign begins on Saturday, Feb.9 with a trip to Worcester, Mass. to take on fellow Jesuit institution Holy Cross. The Stags upended the Crusaders, 14-5, in last year's season-opening clash.
The first of two three-game homestands is up next beginning with a Wednesday, Feb. 13 visit from UConn. The Stags and Huskies played a one-goal game last February in Storrs with the hosts claiming a 13-12 decision.
The home stretch continues on the following Wednesday, Feb. 20, against Columbia and concludes on Saturday, Feb. 23 against Hofstra. The Stags played a pair of 13-12 contests against the Lions and Pride last season, falling to Columbia by that score before besting Hofstra by the same count on Long Island.
The road slate continues on Wednesday, Feb. 27 with a trip to Boston University. The Terriers defeated the Stags, 11-10, in double overtime last spring at Rafferty Stadium en route to a 10-8 final record and a trip to the Patriot League Semifinals.
The second three-game homestand then begins against New Hampshire on Sunday, March 3. The Stags pulled away for a 15-9 victory when the two squads met last season in Durham.
Denver makes its first-ever visit to Fairfield on Friday, March 8. The Pioneers reached the Big East Championship Game last spring and then advanced to the NCAA Championship Second Round, where they fell to top-seeded Maryland. In the only prior meeting of the two squads, Denver hosted and defeated the Stags, 10-6, on March 13, 2016.
Fairfield rounds out its non-conference schedule and three-game homestand on Wednesday, March 20 against crosstown rival Sacred Heart. The Stags claimed an 18-7 victory last spring to move to 12-0 all-time against Sacred Heart.
Conference play then begins for the Stags on Wednesday, March 27 against another in-state foe with a trip up I-91 to Quinnipiac. Fairfield's home contests during the MAAC season feature visits to Rafferty Stadium by Manhattan (April 3), Monmouth (April 10), Iona (April 17) and Canisius (April 20).
The top six teams in the regular season standings qualify for the 2019 MAAC Championship. The First Round will feature the #3 and #4 seeds each hosting a game with the winners joining the top two seeds for Championship Weekend. The entire "final four" will be hosted by the #1 seed.
More information, including a complete promotional schedule for Fairfield Women's Lacrosse, will be announced at a later date on FairfieldStags.com.