GAME 1
SCORE	Fairfield Stags 12, Niagara Purple Eagles 9
LEADING SCORERS	Fairfield - Kelly Horning/Meaghan Graham/Elle Grefenstette (3) | Niagara - Shea Swartwout (4)
RECORDS	Fairfield (3-0, 3-0 MAAC) | Niagara (0-1, 0-1 MAAC)
LOCATION	Rafferty Stadium

 
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Shea Swartwout scored four goals and freshman Lexi Braniecki had a hat-trick in Niagara's season-opening 12-9 defeat at the Fairfield Stags on Saturday afternoon.

GAME RECAP
The Purple Eagles put on a solid display in their season opener as they battled their opponent throughout the contest.
 
Niagara led 2-0 after 10 minutes. Lexi Braniecki opened the scoring, from a pass by Jenna Brill, on her first career shot three minutes into the contest. Rachel Crane made it 2-0 after a great individual effort. In net, Michelle Messenger made four saves in the opening 10 minutes. The Stags tied the game after scoring goals in 38 seconds. Braniecki put NU back in front at the 17:19 mark in the opening half.
 
However, Fairfield scored the next five goals. The Stags went into halftime with a 5-3 lead and lead 7-3 with 24:59 remaining.
 
Niagara answered with four straight goals to tie the game at 7-7. Crane started the run with her second goal at the 18:39 mark. Swartwout added two goals in less than a minute, and Braniecki netted her third with 15 minutes.
 
Though, the Stags responded with a 4-0 run en route to a 12-9 win.  
  
EAGLE'S EYE ON…

• Shea Swartwout netted four goals on six shots. She was 2-for-2 on free position attempts.
• Lexi Braniecki scored three goals in her collegiate debut and had one caused turnovers.
• Rachel Crane scored her first career goals, finishing with two on a team-high seven shots.
• Michelle Messenger made seven saves in 58 minutes.
• Jenna Brill shared-high marks in ground balls with three, had two caused turnovers, and a team-high four draw controls.  
   

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Purple Eagles were 20-for-21 in clear attempts and had a 17-11 advantage in ground balls.
• Lauren Paul is seven caused turnovers away from tying the program career record of 89.
   

UP NEXT

• The Purple Eagles host Siena on March 19 and March 21 for their first home games of the season.  

Stay connected with Niagara Women's Lacrosse on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and purpleeagles.com.