FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University field hockey will begin its quest for the 2019 Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament title on Friday morning as the top-seeded Stags will play fourth-seeded Sacred Heart University in the tournament's first semifinal game at 11:30 am. Second-seeded Rider University will battle third-seeded LIU at 2:30 pm. The two semifinal winners will face each other for a 12 pm game on Sunday to determine the NEC champion and recipient of the conference's bid to the NCAA tournament. 

Fairfield earned the number one seed after winning all six of its conference games as part of a 16-2 overall record. The 16 wins represent the most by a Fairfield field hockey team, surpassing the 14-win total established by the 1998 squad. The team's .889 winning percentage is tied with Maryland for the second-highest in the nation, trailing only unbeaten North Carolina (17-0). The Stags are currently ranked 24th in the nation, holding a national ranking for the last seven weeks. The team owns a 9-1 record since its first appearance in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll on September 24. 

Head Coach Jackie Kane has watched her team win its last nine games to establish another program best, surpassing the previous run of seven games set several times including earlier this year. In addition to its play against the NEC this year, Fairfield has also enjoyed success against the other nine field hockey conferences in the nation. In fact, Fairfield has won at least one game against an opponent from all 10 field hockey conferences this season.

The Stags' prosperity comes from its excellence on both sides of the pitch, leading the NEC in goals scored this year with 47 (2.61 goals per game). Freshman Page Lowry leads the team in goals scored with eight, just one better than Danielle Profita's 18-game total. Profita has been just as prolific in setting up goal scorers as her 11 assists not only led the team but also the entire conference. She leads the team with 23 total points while Luzi Persiehl is a close second with 20 points (six goals, eight assists) with all of her goals serving as game-winners.

Goalkeeper Zoe Rosen picked up her fourth NEC Defensive Player of the Week award on Tuesday after leading Fairfield to a 2-0 week. She made six saves in the two games and played a majority of the minutes in the team's 6-0 combined shutout against LIU, a game which clinched the regular-season title for the Stags. Rosen currently places 14th in the nation for goals against average (1.17) and save percentage (.764). 

The opponent on Friday morning is Sacred Heart University, a team which finished well with four wins over its final seven contests. The Pioneers scored 14 goals in those four wins, three of which came against NEC opponents. Kayla Kruk and Colleen McAninley share the team lead for scoring with 11 points each. Kruk reached her point total through four goals and three assists while McAninley tallied five goals and an assist to reach her 11 points. 

The Pioneers defense is well fortified with goalkeeper Hailey Power and defender Bridget Kelly. Power has 169 saves in her 19 games played, sporting a .786 save percentage over her 2.67 goals against average. Kelly leads the nation in defensive saves, helping turn away 13 shots over 19 starts.