FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Don't ever count out Head Coach Jackie Kane and her field hockey team, not this year. After a disappointing loss to LIU-Brooklyn last weekend, the Stags rallied for a 3-1 win over nationally-ranked Monmouth University and put Fairfield right back in the hunt for a berth in the 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Tournament later this month.

"We followed the game plan and played like warriors today," Kane said. "We worked hard which is something this team always does. But after the LIU-Brooklyn loss, I think everybody counted us out except us. This team is resilient and it proved it today with how they played. I believe in this team 100 percent and they showed today why I have the belief."

The Stags came out with pressure and kept the ball down in their offensive third for a good part of the first half. Monmouth had trouble clearing the ball at times and had little success moving the ball up field in the first 10 minutes of the game. Fairfield was relentless in those opening minutes and their tenacity paid off with the game's first goal just 13 minutes into the contest. Jaclyn Gallagher worked some magic in the center of the circle, taking control of an attempted clear and sending it toward the far post. Hannah Pike was stationed in area and found open space when she accepted the pass. She released a shot that found the corner of the cage and pushed the home team in front by a 1-0 score.

After the goal, Monmouth began to find its offensive rhythm and began to string together more passes that provided better ball movement up the pitch. With that success, the Hawks' defense pushed forward as well, trying to support the offense by sending any clearing attempts quickly back to the circle. But on one such charge, Fairfield was able to counter brilliantly which led to the team's second goal. Corrine Persichetti stripped the ball away from a Monmouth player and made a quick turn down field. She spotted Andrea Soler open down field and threaded a precise pass that escaped a couple of defenders and landed on the stick of Soler. The senior one-timed a backhander that went high and caught the upper right corner of the goal, doubling the Fairfield advantage to 2-0.

"That goal was all Corrine because she saw the open player and found a way to get her the ball," Kane said. "She was unselfish and passed the ball to her teammate which is what we have wanted to do consistently. We want to make good choices in the final third and Corrine did just that on that scoring play."

Staring at a two-goal deficit, Monmouth began to take more chances which resulted in more opportunities. But the Fairfield defense stepped up literally and came out to meet each offensive attack, often resulting in shots that were either blocked outright or deflected away from danger. Although Monmouth was managed six shots in the first half, only one made it to the goal which goalkeeper Caitlin Gilligan calmly turned away.

With a hint of desperation in the air, Monmouth came out in the second half and began to show why it is ranked in the latest national poll. The Hawks pressured every pass and stepped in passing lanes, causing some distress for the Fairfield defense. Still, the Stags never panicked and kept their wits about them, smartly clearing most threats with ball-control passing that not only kept Monmouth from spending too much time in the circle, but also eroded the game clock.

Fairfield seemingly put the game away with 10 minutes remaining in the half as Cassie Hughes finished a penalty corner that included the insertion from Persichetti and a pass by Gallagher that move the deficit to 3-0. 

Finally, the Hawks managed to break through against Gilligan and the defensive four with just over three minutes remaining. Monmouth pulled their goalkeeper with five minutes remaining to gain an extra attacker. That move proved successful when Mallory Kusakavitch neatly tucked a pass from Julie Laszlo into the near corner of the goal that ended the shutout bid and brought the visitors within two goals at 3-1. 

The final three minutes of the game were certainly eventful but Fairfield fended off each of Monmouth's attempts to come closer. Gilligan kicked away a couple more shots in the final minutes, giving the junior three saves on the afternoon.

The schedule does not get any easier for Fairfield as the team heads to the University at Albany for a Sunday afternoon game. The Great Danes enter the game as the 19th-ranked team in the nation and will host the Stags at 1 pm.