Unbeaten in conference play. Number one seed in the post season Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament. Second longest unbeaten streak (16) across Division I nationally.
The Fairfield women’s soccer team enters the MAAC semifinals on Thursday Nov. 6 against Sacred Heart with confidence, built on consistency and results. The Stags will host the matchup on Lessing Field at 6 p.m.
A 3-1 win over Merrimack last Saturday extended Fairfield’s strong run of form within conference play, bringing their overall record over the past four years in the MAAC to 36-4-4. Seniors Maddy Theriault and Sam Kersey, along with freshman Payton Zaun, all scored for the Stags, completing a successful comeback win after the Warriors opened the scoring in the third minute.
Fairfield’s regular season conference record concluded at 15-1-2, 10-0-2, with their recent victory over the Warriors adding to their seven game win streak, underscoring the team’s late-season momentum. The Stags also hold the fourth longest active unbeaten streak in Division I soccer nationally – a statistic they held last season too, a point that highlights both the team’s consistency and discipline.
Several Stags also earned themselves All-MAAC honors this week, with four notable awards recognising their standout performances: Meghan Carragher ‘26 with MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Katie Wright ‘26 with MAAC Golden Glove honors and Theriault earned the MAAC Golden Boot. Head Coach David Barrett was also named the MAAC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.
The Stags’ run of strong form earned themselves national attention- for the first time in program history, Fairfield broke into the national rankings, entering at No. 25 last week, and moving up to No. 22 with Monday’s most recent rankings.
“It’s quite an accomplishment for our program to be considered among the best in the nation,” Head Coach David Barrett commented. “The Top-25 is filled with amazing programs, and to be associated with them is really great for our athletes and our University.”
The Stags now turn their attention to cross-town rival Sacred Heart University in their semi final matchup.
The Pioneers’ record is currently 10-8-1, and 7-5 in conference play – with their last matchup against the Stags resulting in a 4-1 win for Fairfield. Whilst Fairfield will go into this matchup as statistical and seeding favourites, tournament pressure and a this-could-be-our-last-game mentality could level the playing field.
“We are trying to block out the noise as we know that playoffs are an entirely different environment and that any team we play will bring their best. There have been so many recent upsets across Division I, so we’re just focusing on staying tuned into the present moment and playing hard, no matter what is thrown at us” said Ashlyn Walsh, a sophomore defender for the Stags. “We’re really excited to be in this position again and we’re determined to finish what we started going into this season!”
Looking at other fixtures within the championship, last Sunday saw the first round of the tournament get underway where No. 3 Canisius defeated No. 6 Marist, and No. 4 Sacred Heart beat No. 5 Siena 2-1, to set up the Fairfield matchup in the semi-final. As the top seed, Fairfield earned a first-round bye.
Also coming up on Thursday, No. 2 Quinnipiac will be in action against Canisius in the first semi-final of the day at 1 p.m. in Hamden, Conn.
The winners of Thursday’s matches will advance to the MAAC Championship final on Nov.9, with location and kickoff time to be confirmed.