FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team took on No. 15 New Hampshire in their first game of the season this afternoon. In a double overtime, the Stags dropped to the Wildcats, 3-2.
Fairfield played incredible defense the entire game with 15 total saves by goalkeeper
Maddy Sposito and four defensives saves, three from senior
Michelle Loor and one from junior
Nikki McLucas. On offense,
Lindsey Hatch led the team with six shots on goal.
The Stags started the game with three shots within the first three minutes, but were unable to get one through Wildcat goalkeeper Carlie Tarbell. Possession went back and forth until the 27
th minute when Hatch put one in the net for Fairfield. On a cross from
Hillary Fitts on the right side of the circle, Hatch took it from the center and scored to give the Stags the lead, 1-0. Fairfield held that lead going into halftime.
Defense for the Stags held strong into the second half until the 57:52 mark when Carly Pohlmeyer scored New Hampshire's first goal to tie it up. Less than 30 seconds later, Hannah Richard on an assist by Meg Carroll made the score 2-1 on the Wildcats' 19th shot of the game. The Stags kept their composure and after a few more saves by Sposito and a penalty corner from McLucas,
Christy Starsinic scored the Stags' second goal to tie it up just before the final buzzer. Off the corner, Heinen and Hatch got the ball to Starsinic who put it in the goal making the score, 2-2 and forcing the game into overtime.
In the first overtime period, neither team was able to score. Both goalkeepers made a number of phenomenal saves, keeping their team in the game. Just over ten minutes into the second overtime period, Sposito saved one shot but the deflection was received by New Hampshire's Hannah Richard who sent it back at the net for the final goal of the game, giving the Wildcats the 3-2 victory.
Fairfield field hockey (6-5, 0-1 AE) will face Siena on Wednesday at 3pm. The team will continue conference play on Saturday at the University of Maine at 1pm.
