Box Score

DAVIS, Calif. - Kristin Rodgers' goal for UC Davis, scored in the 61st minute, evened Sunday's season-opening, non-conference match at UC Davis Field Hockey Facility at one apiece. But the Fairfield Stags were able to break that tie with 2:10 left in regulation to defeat the Aggies by a 2-1 score.

UC Davis will open its upcoming four-match road trip with a 0-1 record; Sunday's result pushes Fairfield's record to 1-1.

"This team did a tremendous job executing our game plan, sometimes the ball just does not bounce your way," said UC Davis head coach Tiffany Huisman following the match.

Fans in attendance at UC Davis' brand-new facility witnessed both teams battle for possession throughout the first 35 minutes. Each squad recorded five saves and UC Davis goalkeeper Beth Lee was responsible for the only save recorded in the first half.

Lee finished with six saves in her first-ever start for UC Davis.

When action resumed, it was Fairfield that struck first when Sarah Wickles redirected a pass from Emily McCauley into the upper-half of the Aggies' cage in the 52nd minute.

With plenty of time still remaining in the match, the Aggies responded nine minutes later when Kristin Rodgers beat Stags goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett to tie the score at 1-1.

Rodgers' goal was the second of her career and the first scored by an Aggie on its new turf.

On a scoring play that originated on a Fairfield turnover, Whitney punched the ball towards Rodgers' direction; on her one-time shot, an attempt that Bennett had zero chance of stopping, the Aggies pulled even with nine-plus minutes left in regulation.

"It was chaotic in front of [Fairfield's] net. Once I saw the ball head my way, I saw open space and just wanted to score," said Rodgers.

"I was thrilled to see the ball roll into the goal because I was able to reward my team after all the hard work that took place throughout the game leading to that goal."

That goal capped a furious string of plays in front of the Stags cage that included three penalty corners - plays that forced Bennett to make a save, or were blocked by a Fairfield defender.

"This team was persistent and continued to attack immediately following Fairfield's goal. They believed in one another, maintained their poise and were able to create dangerous scoring opportunities," said Huisman.

Kayla Wigney (shot), Jamie Garcia (shot on goal), Lee (save), Linnea Whitney (assist) and Sophia Lisaius (penalty corner) were responsible for other UC Davis firsts recorded at its new home facility.

Rodgers was one of six Aggies that recorded shots against Fairfield throughout Sunday's game; led by Agustina Singh and her team-high four, Garcia (3), Wigney (2), Hannah Drawbridge, Rodgers and Whitney all took a swing in Bennett's direction.

A late-game, breakaway opportunity for Fairfield culminated in the game-winning shot when Julie de Paeuw scored an unassisted goal to seal the day's result.

Beginning with Thursday's game at Missouri State, UC Davis will play its next three matches on the road. After facing the Bears for the first time since its 2013 season-opening victory, the Aggies will travel to Saint Louis and Indiana on Saturday and next Sunday respectively before capping their inaugural road swing of 2014 next Thursday in a neutral-site match vs. Iowa.