FAIRFIELD, Conn. – There something about overtime that seems to bring out the best in sophomore Luzi Persiehl. In three overtime games this season, the defender has scored the game-winning goal twice and set up the deciding score this afternoon. The goal sent the Fairfield University field hockey team to an improbable 2-1 win over Rider University, knocking the Broncs from the ranks of unbeaten in Northeast Conference play (3-1) and leaving only the Stags with an unblemished conference slate (3-0).
                But getting back to Persiehl, Head Coach Jackie Kane has watched last year's conference Rookie of the Year shine in all three games which went to extra time. Persiehl scored the game-winner against nationally-ranked Boston College on the road as well as the winner against Sacred Heart just two weeks ago.

              Today, she took a pass off a penalty corner, stepped up past her defender and slid a pass to Emma Matlach, who waited patiently for the ball before tucking a shot past the goalkeeper with four minutes left in the first overtime.

                "She loves to win but also truly loves the sport and her team," Kane said. "That is evident by how she makes sure we are in position to win. Today instead of being selfish and taking the shot, she realized that Emma was in a better chance to win the game so she passed the ball. She has a great sense on the field and excels in open space especially in overtime when there are less defenders on the field. Her eyes are always up so she can create and finish as well as anyone."

                While the game-winning goal always garners the headlines, that play would not have existed if it was not for remarkable play by Danielle Profita and Julianna Kratz, the team's top two scorers on the stat sheet. Rider packed the circle with as many as defenders as possible throughout the game, hoping to frustrate the Stags by stepping into passing lanes and keeping the ball out of the danger area. The strategy worked for 59 minutes and 20 seconds.

                But with 40 seconds remaining and the Stags pressing as hard as they had all game, Profita controlled a ball just outside the circle, brought it into the center and hit a backhander that moved quickly toward the goal. While goalkeeper Lena Vandam was in position to make the save, Kratz was able to place her stick on Profita's effort and redirect the ball into the upper corner to tie the game.

                The goal sent Fairfield to its third overtime match of the season, a place that the team has excelled so far this season.

                "Our composure is what has made the difference in overtime games," Kane said. "We have played calm and cool in overtime which allows us to stay in our passing patterns and to finish in the final third."

                At the height of that composure stands the team's lone senior, Emily Halderson, who has anchored a defense which has allowed one goal or less in 10 of their 13 games. This afternoon, Halderson kept to her role as a defender but also provided added assistance in the midfield, using nifty stick work to keep pressure on Rider by staying active on the visitor's side of the pitch.

                "She is a great leader and her teammates really want to play for her," Kane said. "She was unbelievable today with the way she controlled tempo and kept Rider from establishing any consistency on our side."

                The Stags will return to action on Sunday when they travel to Villanova University for a non-conference game. After that game, Fairfield will play its final three NEC games at Wagner (October 24) and against Merrimack (October 26 in Durham, N.H.) before hosting Long Island on November 1.