STORRS, Conn. -- Head Coach Jackie Kane sat in the postgame press conference and gladly talked about this year's Fairfield University field hockey. While she had hoped to be talking about the Stags next opponent in the NCAA Division I Championship, she wasn't disappointed to list the accomplishments that this team reached in 2019 when a reporter asked about this year's team.

                The fact that Fairfield came up short by a 2-1 count in overtime against the second-ranked UConn field hockey team on its home pitch did not take away from Coach Kane's enthusiasm for this team, a roster that will be back in its entirety next season.

                "I could brag for two hours about this team – it's the mom in me," Coach Kane said. "I wasn't sure what to expect this season but I knew we had a lot of talent. It was the cohesiveness and the camaraderie that they have that makes a huge difference. I think the fact that we had a win in every conference, had the most wins in program history and were tied for the most wins in the country coming into today shows that we accomplished so much together."

                In addition to the record number of wins, the Stags also set the program standard for consecutive wins with 12, a run that ended with today's loss. The checklist also included a conference championship which led to the program's first NCAA tournament win two days ago against American.

                The way this game broke almost looked as though Fairfield would have a chance to add to its program firsts. UConn entered the match as one of the top scoring offenses in the country but Fairfield's defense had faced those type of attacks previously this season. And today like those other times, the Stags defense frustrated its opponent with aggressive play that prevented any flow inside the circle.

                UConn managed five shots in the first quarter but most were hurried and not on target. The second quarter was even more difficult for both teams as each side took one attempt with Julianna Kratz's attempt forcing the Huskies goalkeeper to make a save. By the end of the first half, neither team found the back of the cage, sending the Stags into the locker room in a 0-0 tie.

                Fairfield made early runs in the third quarter that showed promise, keeping the Stags on UConn's side of the pitch for a good part of the opening minutes of the third quarter. In the 39^th minute, Fairfield's pressure finally showed results as the team was awarded with its first penalty corner of the game.

                Danielle Profita send the insertion pass to the top of the circle, a pass which was redirected to Kelly Buckley. The junior passed the ball to Malen Iglesias who hit the ball toward the near post. Kratz stationed herself in the center of the circle and deflected the ball over the charging UConn goalkeeper to give Fairfield a 1-0 lead.

                The Stags defense continued to stay at home and not yield too many opportunities for the rest of the third quarter as the Huskies only received one penalty corner and four shots in the corner, one of which reached goalkeeper Zoe Rosen but the junior kicked it away.

                The Huskies tied the game less than five minutes into the fourth quarter as Svea Boker, one of the nation's top scorers with 18 goals, threaded the needle on a right side approach with a shot that she tucked high into the near corner of the cage to equal the game at 1-1.

                Fairfield's defense remained resolved and did not allow too many more chances, forcing the Huskies to attack from just inside the circle rather than down low. The Huskies would only take two more shots the rest of the period which brought the game to the end of regulation with the score remaining 1-1.

                After Fairfield's first possession did not result in a shot, UConn regained possession and brought the ball down field. Sophie Hamilton dragged the ball into the circle and released a shot from a few feet inside that caught the far corner of the goal and ended the game just 50 seconds into extra time.

                The Stags finished their season with a 19-3 overall record after going unbeaten in the Northeast Conference with a 6-0 mark, number that helped the team remain in the national rankings for seven weeks.