HAMDEN, Conn. – For the second straight game, the Quinnipiac women's lacrosse team scored twice in the final three minutes of regulation but fell one goal short in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action. The Bobcats dropped Wednesday afternoon's contest, 9-8, to defending MAAC champion Fairfield. Junior Megan Szawlowski recorded her third hat trick of the season and added an assist to complete a four-point day in the loss. SCORE Fairfield 9, Quinnipiac 8 LOCATION Quinnipiac Lacrosse Stadium | Hamden, Connecticut RECORDS Quinnipiac (3-7, 0-2 MAAC) | Fairfield (6-3, 1-0 MAAC) HIGHLIGHTS Szawlowski opened the scoring with a tally just 1:04 into the game, but Fairfield quickly responded with a tally just two minutes later. Each team scored twice over the next 15 minutes, alternating goals, to push the score to 3-3 with 11:13 remaining in the half. Fairfield's Meaghan Graham scored at 10:35, the first time in the game that the same team scored back-to-back goals, to give the Stags a 4-3 edge. Quinnipiac freshman Maddie Deegan tied the game less than a minute later, but Graham scored again allowing the Stags to regain their lead. Szawlowski notched her second of the game with 32 seconds left in the half to send the teams to the locker rooms even at 5-5. The Bobcats took the lead five minutes into the second frame on Szawlowski's hat trick goal, but Fairfield went on a 4-0 run over the next 18 minutes to jump out to a 9-6 lead in the game's final six minutes. Freshmen Gabby Beckett and Deegan both scored for the Bobcats in the final 2:35 of the game, pulling the Bobcats within one. Quinnipiac won the ensuing draw control following Deegan's goal, but the Stags caused the 22nd Quinnipiac turnover of the game and closed out the final possession. INSIDE THE BOX SCORE Fairfield outshot the Bobcats 32-21 in total, including an 18-9 advantage in the second half. The Bobcats dominiated the draw control battle, picking up 14 of the 19 draws in the game. Brianna Fitzgerald and Victoria Bobinski each earned three draw controls, while Deegan and Kuhn each picked up a pair. Allie Kelsey started the game in goal for the Bobcats, making four saves in the first half. Sami Walters relieved Kelsey at halftime and made five saves, but took the loss. NEXT UP The Bobcats make the longest trip of the MAAC season this weekend when they head to Buffalo, New York to battle Canisius. Saturday's contest is scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. start.