FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team is headed to the MAAC Championship Game for the second straight season. They will face top seed and host Monmouth University on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in West Long Branch.
No. 2 Fairfield (8-12, 4-2 MAAC) vs. No. 1 Monmouth (16-2, 6-0 MAAC): The Hawks beat the Stags earlier this season 2-0 in West Long Branch on October 23.
A Look at the Hawks: Monmouth is coming off a thrilling double overtime win over fourth seed Rider in the MAAC Semifinals. The Hawks held a 2-1 lead throughout most of the second half, but Rider was able to score off a penalty corner with 0:00 on the clock to send the game into extra time. In the second overtime period, Kelly Hanna tipped in the game-winner off a fast break pass from Meg Donahue.
MAAC Semifinals: The Stags needed overtime on Friday to beat the third seeded Bryant Bulldogs and reach the Championship Game. Ann Burgoyne opened the scoring in the first half before Bryant tied the game entering halftime. Then the Bulldogs took the lead 10 minutes into second half. In the 69th minute, Julie de Paeuw fired a shot that Emma Clark got her stick on to redirect it into the back of the net and tie the game 2-2 with under two minutes to play. And in overtime, Burgoyne tallied the game-winner to send Fairfield to the MAAC Championship Game.
Looking Ahead: The winner of Sunday's game will receive the league's automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Tournament. The tournament field will be announced Sunday night at 10:00 p.m.
Follow the Team: Follow Fairfield field hockey all season long on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @Stags_FH.
