FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Molly Byrnes scored a second-half goal to lift the Fairfield University field hockey team to a 1-0 win over the University of Vermont. The victory gave the Stags their first-ever win in America East play.

The Catamounts held a heavy advantage in the first half by outshooting the Stags 7-2. However, Fairfield goalkeeper Jennifer Utz held her own by making four saves and keeping the game scoreless at intermission.

Fairfield came out more aggressive in the second half and was awarded three penalty corners in the opening five minutes of the period. The third corner was started by Amy Hosking who sent the ball to the top of the arc. Katherine Donovan stopped the ball for Emily Janis, who unleashed a shot that was kicked away by Vermont goalkeeper Kristien Heavens.

Molly Byrnes picked up the loose ball and spun to her left which put her by her defender. She pushed the ball toward the goal and the ball slipped past Heavens to give the Stags a 1-0 lead.

Both teams scored a goal in the game that was whistled off by the officials. The Catamounts appeared to tie the game late in the second half, but an obstruction called negated the goal and kept the clock moving. Fairfield's Amanda Love started a scoring attempt when her shot was deflected into the air. After a flurry in front of the goal, the ball landed in the back of the cage. The goal was disallowed due to a high stick and kept the game scoreless in the first half.

Utz made six saves to record the shutout, while Havens was credited with three saves for Vermont.

Fairfield returns to action next Saturday when it travels to America East foe Boston University on October 11.