FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Head Coach Jackie Kane knew that this year's team would rely on its defense, a style that has come to define the Fairfield University field hockey program. In today's 2-1 win over Providence College, the Stags defense did not disappoint their head coach as the unit withstood a fourth-quarter barrage that may have buckled less resilient teams.

                "Successful teams find a way to win and we did that today," Coach Kane said. "We weren't high on composure or consistency but had a lot of heart and determination and that's what put us through that final 15 minutes."

                The decision represented the team's seventh straight win which ties the program record set last season.

                It was a harrowing fourth quarter for the Stags as Providence, which had been kept in check after its only goal of the game in the seventh minute, spent nearly the entire quarter in the Stags defensive third which led the Friars to a 13-0 advantage in shots during the final 15 minutes. One of the reasons for Providence coming up empty in those attempts was a line of defenders who stepped up and made sure that few even made it to the goal, deflecting and blocking shot after shot.

                And when a shot did elude the backs, goalkeeper Zoe Rosen stepped up and kicked away six shots which gave her eight stops on the afternoon. And the one time when Rosen was unable to be in position to make a save, midfielder Malen Iglesias knocked down a shot on the goal line for a defensive save.

                "There was no way that Malen was going to let that ball go into the goal," Coach Kane said. "These kids play so hard for each other that there is always someone in the right spot at the right time. Today it was Malen and she made the play that kept the lead in our favor."

                The Stags did not always have the lead in this game as their Big East foe struck first with a goal at the 6:55 mark of the game. The goal came off a penalty corner in a manner that looked like it was executed just as it was drawn up by the Providence coaching staff. Mary O'Reilly started the play with a restart off a penalty corner and placed the ball directly to Maddie Babineau. She in turn stopped the ball and set up the chance for Izzy Mendez, who finished the play with a hard drive that beat the Stags defense to the lower corner of the cage.

                Fairfield tried to keep pressure on the Providence defense after that goal, looking for an opportunity for the equalizer. With the quarter winding down, the Stags were awarded a penalty corner with just seconds remaining. Iglesias ended up with the ball and unleashed a shot that was blocked but went directly to Danielle Profita. The junior one-timed the ball past the Providence goalkeeper with just eight seconds remaining in the quarter.

                "Dani's goal was the real momentum changer for us," Coach Kane said. "If we went into the quarter down a goal, we may have played a little more timid. We were not playing our best hockey in the first quarter but that goal really charged us up to play more aggressively in the second and third quarters."

                The two teams were tied at 1-1 at the half but Fairfield found its way into the lead for the first time just three minutes into the third quarter. After a Fairfield player was pulled down in the circle, a penalty stroke was awarded to the Stags. Emma Matlach took the stroke and her flick was partially saved by goalkeeper Lydia Rice but the ball's momentum allowed it to continue past her and into the goal.

                Fairfield will have a week off before having to return to University Field for a September 27 game with Northeastern University. The game is scheduled for a 4 pm start.