Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Hillary Fitts scored just 18 seconds into overtime to lift the Fairfield University field hockey team to a 3-2 win over Vermont, giving the Stags a berth in the America East tournament for the first time in school history. The tournament will take place on November 2 and 4 with the regular-season champion serving as the host.

The Catamounts jumped out in front at the 24:50 mark when Callie Bellimer scored an unassisted goal. She picked up a loose ball at the top of the circle and sent a backhanded shot toward the lower right corner which skipped past goalkeeper Maddie Sposito. It was the third and final shot of the half for Vermont.

After trailing at the half, Fairfield responded with a pair of second-half goals that put the team in front for the first time. The tying goal came at the 44:17 mark just a couple minutes after an apparent goal was called back. This time, Christy Starsinic converted a pass from Lindsey Hatch, finishing the play from three yards away. The Stags took the lead when Hatch posted a goal with under 10 minutes remaining in the second half, putting a shot home off a pass from Shealyn Testa.

Vermont tied the game just 42 seconds later when Fairfield was whistled for a foul in the circle, setting up a penalty stroke. Angie DeBellis converted the opportunity with 8:31 remaining, placing the shot into the upper left corner. The Stags had several opportunities in the closing minutes but goalkeeper Stephane Zygmunt made several key saves to keep the game tied. Zygmunt finished the game with 16 saves as the Stags took 26 shots in the game.

In overtime, Fairfield took control of the ball and set up a give-and-go about 30 yards from goal. Fitts sent the ball over Kaitlyn Taddeo, who sent the ball right back to Fitts as she cut toward the goal. She took the shot from the right side of the circie and found the back of the goal just 18 seconds into the overtime period.

Sposito made two saves for the Stags, facing three shots in each half for a total of six attempts. The Stags owned a 19-2 advantage in penalty corners and a 26-6 advantage in shots.

Fairfield plays its final home game of the regular-season when it hosts the University of Pennsylvania on Sunday afternoon. The Stags will honor the senior class before the game. Game time is scheduled for 1 pm at University Field.