LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team did all it could to keep its unbeaten Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) intact, outshooting Rider University by a 19-7 count and held a 14-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Broncs final shot that was on target was the one that decided the game though as the home team scored with less than four minutes remaining in the second overtime to come away with a 2-1 win over the Stags.
It was the Broncs who scored first when Carly Brosious posted the first of her two goals on the night. She controlled the ball inside the circle and lifted the ball into upper corner of the goal to push the home team in front 1-0 just six minutes into the game. Fairfield continued to apply pressure throughout the first half but could not solve goalkeeper Lena Vandam, who faced six shots in the opening 35 minutes but did not yield a goal.
The second half was played in a similar manner as Fairfield continued to push the ball up front and control play in the circle. But in this half, the Stags found success when they final managed to crack the Broncs defense.
Malen Iglesias posted her third goal of the season when she redirected a pass from
Emma Matlach in the 55th minute. Matlach collected the ball in the middle of the circle and sent a pass toward the goal. Iglesias stepped in front and pushed the loose ball past Vandam to tie the score at 1-1.
Neither team could break the deadlock over the final 15 minutes of the game which sent Fairfield to its first overtime contest of the season. The Stags dominated the first overtime by placing seven shots toward goal but Vandam made five saves to keep the game tied through the first 10 minutes of overtime. In the second overtime, Fairfield outshot Rider once again but the Broncs were able to convert on its only shot of the second overtime when Brosious broke free and lifted a shot into the upper corner for the second time, this time deciding the game.
Vandam finished the contest with 14 saves while Fairfield's goalkeeper
Zoe Rosen made two saves, both of which came in regulation.
Fairfield will return to non-conference play on Sunday when it travels to Columbia University for a 12 pm game.
