On a bitterly cold autumn afternoon, the Fairfield University women’s soccer team finally lost a game in the MAAC tournament. After three straight years of conference dominance, the Stags lost in overtime to Loyola 2-1 last Sunday to relinquish their crown. The Stags finished their roller-coaster season with a 10-10-2 overall record. In addition, five Fairfield players were named to the All-Tournament Team: freshman midfielder Maureen Miller, freshman midfielder Lindsey Pulito, junior defender Lauren Bishar, junior defender Erin Porter, and junior midfielder Pamela Cluff. Fairfield, ranked second in the MAAC entering the tournament, faced Marist in their opening game Friday night. Fairfield dominated the game and enjoyed most of the possession, and the Stags got on the score sheet before in the 30th minute. After nice buildup play from Kyle McClintock and Cluff, Pulito pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and put it past the Marist goalkeeper. Just two minutes later, Fairfield doubled their lead after Gina Pantuosco passed to Cluff on the edge of the area. Cluff calmly lined up a shot that rocketed past the hapless goalkeeper into the side of the net. In the second half, Pantuosco rounded out the scoring when she took a throw-in from Miller and threaded the needle with a shot that traveled through a crowd of players untouched before ending up in the back of the net. Marist had few opportunities to score in the game, thanks to the stalwart defending of Porter, Robyn Brady, and Kelly Chapple; when they did manage to get a shot off, Fairfield goalkeeper Anne Lyons was there to make the save. The game marked Lyons’ third shutout of the season with six saves in the match. The Stags then faced Loyola in the championship game. The game marked the sixth time Fairfield and Loyola faced each other in the championship match of the MAAC tournament. Going into the game, Fairfield had a 4-1 advantage over Loyola in conference championship matches, but the Stags had their work cut out for them, going into the match, Loyola was undefeated in conference play and had not even conceded a goal in their MAAC matches. During the game, Loyola enjoyed the majority of the possession and offensive play, and benefited early when Kathleen Shields scored in the 21st minute. Fairfield refused to lose, however, and their hard work came to fruition in the 75th minute, when Miller scored on a pass from Pulito to equalize. Both teams had a few chances to score before the end of the game, but neither could convert, and the match ended up deadlocked at the end of regulation. In the early moments of extra time, Fairfield had a few offensive chances, but failed to convert. Then, in the 99th minute, Loyola received a free kick near the Fairfield goal. Tournament MVP Annie DiPalo fired a shot that, despite Anne Lyons getting a touch on, still found its way into the net to end the game. Although the Stags came up short this year, their prospects are bright for next season, having to part with only three seniors. However, Fairfield will miss the dynamic and exciting play of forward Kelly Maraghy, Pantuosco, and goalkeeper Anne Lyons.