Fairfield women’s lacrosse returns to action for their home opener and first game of the regular season against the University of Rhode Island (URI) this Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.

The game was initially scheduled for Saturday but was moved due to anticipated poor weather conditions.

The Stags enter this game as Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) preseason favorites, picking up 11 of the 12 first-place votes in the preseason poll.

Kelly Haggerty ‘27 was named MAAC Preseason Player of the Year in the preseason honors list, entering her third season with Fairfield with 67 goals and 22 assists to her name.

Haggerty earned a spot on the Preseason All-MAAC team, with graduate student Haley Burns and seniors Katherine Shammas and Brynn Donnelly also earning spots.

Fairfield travelled to Columbia University last Saturday for a scrimmage, where they won 17-11, with the fixture also providing the players with valuable playing time against competitive opposition ahead of the season opener.

Julia Preston ‘28 shared her thoughts on the scrimmage, and on the upcoming months for the team:

“After a solid preseason, we were very excited to open with a scrimmage against Columbia. It went really well and it was a good start to what we are hoping will be a great season. We’re ready to bring that energy into our home opener, and to be playing in front of our home crowd.”

This will be the first-ever matchup for the Stags against the URI Rams, as URI women’s lacrosse enters just their second NCAA season. They posted an 8-8 record last season and finished 4-6 in Atlantic 10 conference play. They were placed sixth in this year’s preseason conference poll.

Rams sophomore Caralie Basuel earned a place on the A-10 Lacrosse Preseason Team after earning conference Rookie of the Year honors last season.

Friday’s contest will provide the Stags with an early opportunity to assess their form as they open the regular season, with free admission for all fans.