Box Score STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Some games are won in the preparation. Other games are won in the adjustments. Today was one of those adapt and adjust days. Using those halftime adjustments, the top-seeded Fairfield University field hockey team was able to score a pair of fourth quarter goals to edge fourth-seeded Sacred Heart University by a 2-1 score in the Northeast Conference (NEC) semifinal game. The tournament is being hosted by Wagner College.

With both teams having seen each other earlier in the year, there weren't too many surprises. And that familiarity showed as neither team could mount much in their opponent's offensive third for the first 30 minutes of the game. In fact, only one shot was taken through the first two quarters which came off the stick of Fairfield's Page Lowry. It was well struck ball that headed for the upper corner of the goal but Sacred Heart goalkeeper Hailey Power swatted it away to keep the game scoreless.

The third quarter seemed to bring more opportunities for the Stags as they quickened pace which led to more residency inside the Sacred Heart circle. Julianna Kratz was the first Stag to challenge the Sacred Heart goalkeeper, hitting a shot that required another good save. The Stags had a few more attempts but the shots were deflected before getting to the goal.

In the fourth quarter, Fairfield's aggression up front earned the team a pair of penalty corners and both resulted in goals. But the goals were actually set up in the locker room during halftime. It was during that time that the Fairfield coaching staff made some adjustments to their set pieces and those adjustments were just enough to disrupt the Sacred Heart defense.

"We have a few penalty corners that we rely on but they were familiar with them so at halftime we gave them a few different options," Head Coach Jackie Kane said. "We scored our first goal off one of the corners and the second corner set up the penalty stroke. Our corners were definitely our strong suit in the second half."

The first corner ended with Luzi Persiehl sending a shot toward the far post which Madison Hoskins was able to deflect into the unguarded corner of the net to put the Stags in front by a 1-0 count. Three minutes later, Sacred Heart was able to tie the game when Colleen McAninley weaved her way into the circle and sent a cross to the center where Kelsy Hopkins tapped into the goal to tie the score at 1-1 in the 49^th minute.

The Stags were awarded a second penalty corner which led to Fairfield being awarded a penalty stroke in the 53^rd minute. Emma Matlach stood over the ball and flicked a shot past the goalkeeper to push Fairfield in front, 2-1.

Fairfield's defense took over from that point and prevented Sacred Heart from creating any real dangerous situations by moving into passing lanes and stifling any flow before Sacred Heart could build any momentum.

Fairfield goalkeeper Zoe Rosen finished the game with one save in her 60 minutes of play while Power was credited with five saves for Sacred Heart. Fairfield will play for the NEC championship on Sunday at 12 pm on the campus of Wagner College.

"It's a championship game so emotions will be high," Coach Kane said. "It's the team that can execute and handle the pressure that will come out on top."