After one of the best seasons in the women’s lacrosse program’s history, a disappointing loss in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game against Marist cast a shadow over the success of the regular season.
It will be tough for the team to follow up a 17-game win streak and 19-2 overall record, but most of last year’s core is back for new head coach Mike Waldvogel, a hall of fame member who was an assistant coach under graduate student head coach Beth Loffredo last season.
The Stags are already back to their winning ways with a 17-8 victory at Monmouth on Sunday.
‘We were a little nervous,’ said senior goalkeeper Lauren Chatnik. ‘We played together and locked down of defense.’
Chatnik recorded eight saves in the victory and was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week for her effort. Fellow senior Rebecca White, a midfielder, was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring four goals, including the game-winner.
Fairfield outshot Monmouth 45-17. Sophomore Kristen Coleman, last year’s MAAC Player of the Year and the Pre-season Player of the Year this season, was held to two goals, while junior Erin Rigby scored four along with White.
‘We had a good showing, foreshadowing the rest of the season,’ White said. ‘Everyone connected and played well.’
The memory of last year’s loss to Marist has not left the Stags players, who plan to use that as motivation to reach their goal of a 19-0 season and a trip to the NCAA tournament later this spring.
‘That game doesn’t leave my mind,’ White said. ‘We have to keep growing and improving this season.’
‘We expect to have just as good of a season this year,’ Chatnik said. ‘But this time we plan to make it past the MAAC.’
Waldvogel said the team’s senior leadership, which allows him to simply guide the team towards its goal, has impressed him.
‘I think this team can go as far as we want to go,’ Waldvogel said. ‘They have the ability to beat anyone.
‘There is great senior leadership and they are all together,’ he said.
While Waldvogel quickly gave the credit to his players, White said that having an experienced coach has been helpful.
‘We have a great coaching staff; I learn something new everyday and I am a senior,’ she said.
The Stags will play twice at home prior to spring break, including a game against No. 19 Yale on Wednesday and’ at UConn on Saturday.
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