FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team made a valiant comeback effort against Columbia University, but the attempt fell short in a 3-2 loss at University Field.

The Stags jumped out to a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game when Emily Janis found the back of the cage with a shot from the left circle. The goal was Janis' third in the last two games and raised her season total to four goals.

Columbia tied the game a few minutes later when Julia Garrison converted a pass from Catherine Campbell with 27 minutes remaining in the first half. The Lions took the lead with under four minutes left in the period as Maggie O'Connor pushed a rebound past Fairfield goalkeeper Jennifer Utz to make the score 2-1. Despite the score, Fairfield still owned an 8-6 advantage in shots.

Campbell tallied the Columbia's third goal in the 49th minute when she secured a pass from the corner and beat the Fairfield defense to the lower left side of the goal. The Stags made things interesting with eight minutes left in regulation when they were awarded a penalty corner. Amy Hosking sent the ball to the top of the circile, which was controlled by Janis. The senior sent a pass to the left, which Carly McCullough lifted over a sprawled goalkeeper to make the score 3-2.

Utz finished the game with five saves for Fairfield, while Gena Miller secured four saves for Columbia.