Fairfield University Women’s Lacrosse opened its 2026 season with a 13-6 win over Rhode Island on Friday at Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. The Stags began the game by scoring six consecutive goals and maintained control throughout the match.
Head Coach Laura Field commented on the performance of her team, which included several new and young players. “We started a lot of young players and new players and, generally speaking, they were able to calm their jitters and produce,” said Field. “I think we still have a lot of work to do in terms of our consistency, in terms of our handling the ebbs and flows of a game with the new rules. The green cards play a huge factor. Being player-up or player-down and how we handle that will make a big difference. That’s something that we need to improve.”
Fairfield’s offense was effective during player-up situations, recording six goals while having an advantage. Rhode Island managed two goals while playing with an extra player.
Tessa Caputo led Fairfield with five points, including two goals and three assists. Mary Henry and Kelly Haggerty each scored three goals and provided one assist for four points each. Paige Gardner and Haley Burns contributed two goals apiece, while Kyleigh Tufano added one goal. Charlotte Loughlin recorded her first career point with an assist.
Burns also contributed defensively by collecting three ground balls, causing three turnovers, and winning three draw controls in addition to her scoring efforts. Gardner caused two turnovers as part of Fairfield’s defensive pressure.
The Stags secured 13 draw controls compared to eight for Rhode Island. Brynn Donnelly added six draw controls to her career total as Fairfield’s all-time leader in that category. Burns and Lila Berkery each won three draws from outside the circle.
On defense, Katherine Shammas collected a career-high six ground balls.
Goalkeeper Whitney Robinson made her debut for Fairfield by starting in goal during the first half, making three saves while allowing three goals to earn the win. Keira Furey played in the second half, adding two saves.
Caputo opened scoring just over one minute into play, giving Fairfield an early lead they would not give up. Additional first-quarter goals came from Burns (one), Haggerty (two), and Gardner (one), resulting in a 5-0 score after one quarter. Caputo scored again early in the second quarter before Rhode Island registered its first goal.
Rhode Island scored three times in the second period but trailed 7-3 at halftime after Henry scored for Fairfield late in the quarter.
Henry and Haggerty extended Fairfield’s lead early in the third quarter before Rhode Island responded with three more goals during that period; however, they did not score again as Fairfield held them scoreless in the fourth quarter while adding four more goals themselves from Henry, Tufano, Burns, and Gardner.
For Rhode Island, Caralie Basuel led with four goals; four of their six total came from free-position shots taken from eight meters out.
Fairfield continues its season-opening homestand on Wednesday, Feb. 11 against UConn at 3 p.m., following UConn’s double-overtime loss at Drexel earlier this week that left them with an 0-1 record after finishing last season at 11-6.
Admission is free for all fans attending regular season home games for Fairfield Women’s Lacrosse this year.
