Fairfield’s women’s lacrosse team has become a leader in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Now 2-0 in conference play, they’ve crushed both Siena and Manhattan and will look to continue on with this aggressive momentum. The team contributes their success to their group effort and keeping this idea in mind, Alex Fehmel ’17 has become one of the most successful athletes on the team.
Fehmel, a 5’7” midfielder, has emerged as a leader out on the field. In her freshman year, she knew how to play the game, but now, she’s learned to play Fairfield’s game. Throughout her entire first year with the team, Fehmel started in nine games and played in 15 of them. She had a combined 18 points for her team, scoring 12 goals and adding 6 assists to her record. Trailing close behind her older teammates, she took 37 shots for the season, posting a .500 % for shots. This season, she posts a .368 scoring percentage, but she’s already taken 38 shots only 10 games into the season.
“I understand the ways our team plays a little better,” said Fehmel, “and I can definitely see the field better as a midfielder since last year.”
Fehmel has proved to be a huge asset to the team, whether she’s scoring and setting opportunities to score. In the close game against Central Connecticut State University, Fehmel recorded her first ever collegiate hat trick, helping to contribute to the 13-9 victory. In the MAAC opener against the Manhattan Jaspers, she posted an impressive 5 assists to help crush the Jaspers 12-3 at Rafferty Stadium.
Now, just midway through the season, Fehmel leads her entire team with a combined 25 points. She’s posted 14 goals, only two goals behind her elder teammate, Julieanne Mascera ‘15. Beyond the goals, Fehmel has excelled in setting up scoring opportunities, setting herself up for 5th in the entire MAAC for assists.
“I just drive like I’m going to go to the goal and then draw the double,” said Fehmel, “and keep my head up while I’m driving to try to pass the ball to someone.”
She’s helped Mascera become the leading goal scorer of the team, with Fehmel recording 11 assists overall so far this season. Taking on the role as a leader as only a sophomore can be a daunting task, but Fehmel likes the challenge.
“It’s a lot of pressure, I guess, but I like it,” said Fehmel. “I like the role that I play here.”
Starting and playing in all 10 games, Fehmel hopes to continue on with the momentum she has seen in both herself and her team. Now 7-3 overall and 2-0 in the MAAC, Fairfield leads the MAAC conference. Although picked to finish 3rd in the MAAC, the Stags are hoping that the success they’ve seen so far will bring them to the MAAC championships and even an NCAA berth. The team will look to take on Iona at Rafferty Stadium on Wednesday, April 1 at 3 p.m.
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