FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Behind two goals from sophomore forward Emma Clark, the Fairfield University field hockey team closed out their non-conference schedule with a 3-2 win over William & Mary on Friday afternoon.
With the game tied at 2-2 with just over five minutes to play, the Stags sent in a penalty corner that found Clark's stick and redirected it right into the back of the net for the game winner.
Fairfield scored first in the 17th minute when Maclaine Matties notched her seventh assist of the season with a crisp pass to Clark for the first goal of the game. The Stags and Tribe would head into halftime with the home team up 1-0.
In the second half, the Stags added to their lead when Jamie Appelberg got her stick on the ball after Ann Burgyone's shot was blocked. The junior got just enough to push the ball over the line for a 2-0 lead.
But William & Mary fought back with two unanswered goals in the span of just about four minutes. Booter Ellis hooked up with Maria Jose Pastor off a penalty corner in the 51st minute. Then Estelle Hughes received a pass from Ashleigh Nottingham and fired a shot from the top the circle that found its way to the back of the net for the game tying goal.
Then in the 65th minute the Stags took the lead back when Jaclyn Gallagher rifled a shot off a penalty corner and Clark was able to tip it in for the game winner.
The Stags defense had to close out the game strong as the Tribe had a flurry of penalty corners in the final minutes. Caitlin Bennett was forced to make a crucial save with no time left on the clock to preserve the victory for Fairfield.
The Cardinal Red are back in action tomorrow on University Field when they host LIU Brooklyn for their final regular season game and Senior Day at 1:00 p.m.
