FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- It took a while but #23 Fairfield University finally was able to find a way to beat a scrappy Sacred Heart University team in overtime, opening its Northeast Conference (NEC) schedule with a 1-0 victory over the Pioneers. The Stags spent most of the game in Sacred Heart's defensive third but the Pioneers found a way to keep the Stags off the scoreboard, mainly through the play of goalkeeper Hailey Power.But in the first overtime, Luzi Persiehl was able to convert a cross into a goal to provide the winning margin.

Fairfield out shot its visitor by a 22-1 count with 16 of those attempts requiring some type of action from a Pioneer defender. Power finished the game with 15 saves while Bridget Kelly, a senior defender, collected a defensive save with a deflection in the second quarter. Most of the action came in the second half when Fairfield seemed to turn up its offensive pressure which helped the team gain momentum that seemed to build with each passing minute. But every time the Stags seemed poised to take a lead, Power would turn away the opportunity with her ability to find the ball in traffic.

The Stags owned a 7-0 advantage in shots over the first 30 minutes of the game and added to that total by taking 13 of the 14 shots over the final 30 minutes. Sacred Heart's lone shot was on target as Marlena Koellner intercepted a ball and took a clear shot just inside the circle which goalkeeper Zoe Rosen was able to turn away with kick save. Despite the stats sheet tipping in Fairfield's favor, the game was still scoreless after 60 minutes of play, setting the team's second overtime game of the season.

In a moment of deja vu, the Stags won the game when freshman Julianna Kratz made a brilliant run from the left flank and cut into the circle. She made a move toward the near post, drawing a couple of Sacred Heart defenders, which created an opening in the center of the circle. Persiehl stepped smartly into the clearing and one-timed the Kratz cross past Power to end the game with just over four minutes left in the first overtime. For Persiehl, it was the sophomore's second game-winning goal in overtime this season, also completing the task against nationally-ranked Boston College in early September.

"This was the first conference game for both teams so emotions were high today," Head Coach Jackie Kane said. "Sacred Heart came ready to play as did we. We had amazing opportunities but their goalkeeper kept them in the game and fortunately we were able to finish at the end. We stuck to our game plan and they knew that we would be able to finish if we followed our plan. When you take 22 shots you always hope for more, but their defense was able to make plays."

The Stags will return to non-conference play on Sunday when they travel to the College of the Holy Cross for a 1 pm game, the first of two-game road trip that will also send them to NEC opponent Bryant University on October 11.