FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore attacker Rachel Graff recorded her first hat trick of the season, but the Columbia women's lacrosse team fell to Fairfield, 13-6, at Rafferty Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Graff notched her second career hat trick in the outing to lead Columbia in its scoring efforts against the Stags.
 
Columbia (0-2) picked up steam early, quickly racing ahead to a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Chelsea Witteck got the scoring started with a man-up free position goal, while Graff and junior attacker Alexandria Absey tacked on scores. With 22:57 on the clock in the first half, Fairfield (1-2) notched their first goal of the game that would kickstart a 7-0 run to end the half.
 
Out of the break, the Lions cut the deficit to two with back-to-back goals from Graff and sophomore midfielder Katie Lutz. The Stags responded with three-straight goals to take a 10-5 lead with 17:15 left in the contest before Graff completed her hat trick at the 16:31 mark. Fairfield would go on to net three more goals to close the contest, despite both teams going scoreless for more than 10 minutes.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Schlageter made her second consecutive start in goal, playing all 60 minutes and making seven stops while also recording five ground balls and one caused turnover.
 
The Lions return to action this Saturday, Feb. 22, heading to Siena for a noon contest.
 
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