Fairfield women’s soccer closes out its regular season campaign on the road tonight at 7 p.m. against Merrimack. The Stags enter this matchup as Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular-season champions after their 3-0 win over Niagara last Saturday.
Goals came from Maddy Theriault ‘26, Ashley McMahon ‘28 and a Niagara own goal secured the victory. Theriault’s strike extended her scoring streak to five consecutive games, which is the longest of her career.
Fairfield’s record is now 14-1-2 overall and 9-0-2 within the MAAC, with their unbeaten conference campaign putting them in the lead and most likely to be the number one seed, heading into the post-season championship. The win also extended the team’s unbeaten streak at home on Lessing Field to 26 games, which is the longest active run at the Division I level nationally.
Elsewhere in the MAAC, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart University have also clinched postseason spots, with Quinnipiac securing the second seed position. The Bobcats went up against the Stags in the championship final last year, which Fairfield won 1-0. With their record standing at 7-0-4 in conference play, both Fairfield and Quinnipiac remain unbeaten in the MAAC.
Heading into the matchup this evening, Merrimack sits in tenth position in the MAAC standings and out of contention for the fourth spot in the playoffs.
First-year midfielder Kylie Fuller leads the Warriors with eighteen points, coming from eight goals and two assists.
Fairfield’s Theriault continued to add to her points tally over the weekend with her 14th goal of the season, bringing her total to 32 points from the season (14 goals, 4 assists).
There has only been one previous meeting between Fairfield and Merrimack, ending with a 1-0 win for Fairfield, with Emilie Cook ‘26 securing the game winner as the Stags outshot their opponents 27-6.
A win or draw tonight would see Fairfield finish their MAAC campaign undefeated for the first time in over two decades.
“We’re pleased to be bringing home first place and another championship,” said head coach David Barrett. “We want to finish the conference slate unbeaten, which hasn’t been done here in about 25 years.”
The MAAC championship semi-final for Fairfield will take place on Nov. 6, with timings and locations still to be announced.