Fairfield, Conn. ? Senior midfielder Michele Polizois recorded a hat trick, scoring two goals off penalty corners and converting a penalty stroke, to lead UAlbany to a 4-1 win over Fairfield in America East Conference field hockey action on Saturday afternoon.

            Fairfield (4-11, AE 1-2) struck first, as Molly Byrnes scored an unassisted goal after gathering her own rebound off her initial shot to find the back of the cage just 1:11 into the game. The Stags held onto the one-goal advantage until the 24th minute as UAlbany sophomore Alysia Hough tied the game with an unassisted goal of her own, taking a breakaway from outside the circle, dribbling in to slip the ball past Fairfield goalkeeper Jennifer Utz. The Great Danes would add one more tally before halftime, as Polizois scored her first goal of the day on a penalty corner at 34:38.

            Jess Lindsey and Michelle Simpson, who assisted on Polizois' first score, would team up again for helpers on her second goal as well, as the Great Danes increased their lead to two goals in the 40th minute of play. Polizois would finish out the scoring with a penalty stroke at 49:49, getting the ball past Utz on the shot.

            UAlbany outshot Fairfield, 17-6, and held a 17-2 advantage in penalty corners. Senior goalkeeper Ashley Ross made four saves in the cage for the Great Danes, while Utz stopped seven shots between the pipes for Fairfield.

            UAlbany (8-9, AE 2-1) will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 25, as they host America East rival Boston U. at Alumni Turf Field at 1 p.m.

-agate-

UAlbany (8-9, AE 2-1)              2          2          -           4

Fairfield (4-11, AE 1-2)                        1          0          -           1

UAlbany: Scoring ? Michele Polizois (3-0), Alysia Hough (1-0), Michelle Simpson (0-2), Jess Lindsey (0-2). Goalkeeper ? Ashley Ross (70:00, 1 GA, 4 saves).

Fairfield: Scoring ? Molly Byrnes (1-0). Goalkeeper ? Jennifer Utz (70:00, 4 GA, 7 saves).

UAlbany 4, Fairfield 1 (Oct 18, 2008)