FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team scored with under 30 seconds to play to earn a one goal win over Hofstra on Saturday afternoon, 13-12. Senior Julieanne Mascera scored the final tally for the Stags on a free position shot with 29 ticks left in the game.
It was a back and forth game all afternoon with the Stags and Pride trading scores all game long. The stats would prove just how close the game was. Each team fired off 23 shots, made five saves, and had 12 goals through the first 59:31. Fairfield won the groundball battle 10-9 and the turnover battle 11-12.
Colleen Reynolds got the day started on offense with the first goal of the game off a free position shot. The Stags would hold the lead for all of three minutes before Hofstra tied the game at one. Over the next three minutes, Fairfield built itself a four to one advantage with two goals from Alex Fehmel and Reynolds' second of the day.
But Hofstra fought back eventually tying the game at 5-5 with 1:30 remaining in the first half. But the scoring did not stop there as both teams notched another before the final whistle of the half. Riley Hellstein scored the sixth goal for Fairfield and Lindsay Scott notched her fifth goal of the first half with just 38 seconds left on the clock.
The Pride took the early lead in the second half and it was Fairfield who would have to respond on offense. With the score tied at nine with 14 minutes left to play, the Stags would build a two goal lead with two more scores from Reynolds.
Fairfield was able to hold an advantage until Hofstra tied the contest at 12 with 2:45 left on the clock. But when the time came it was Mascera who answered the bell. With 29 seconds left in the game she fired the game-winning shot off a free position attempt to claim Fairfield's 13-12 win over Hofstra.
“It was a great team win. It wasn't' pretty at times but from the bench to the starters everyone came with high energy ready to play. Colleen had one of the best games of her career; she was all over the field and her efforts set the tone for the game. Julieanne was clutch with her game winning eight-meter. I think we leaned on the seniors this week to bring the effort and redefine our season and we saw that today on the field,” explained Head Coach Laura Field.
On offense the Stags were led by Reynolds' career-high five points and four goals. Fehmel and Mascera each recorded a hat trick, while Hellstein chipped in two and Kelly Camardo had one.
The Stags next game is at Sacred Heart on Wednesday afternoon.
