FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team will look for its second Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon when it plays for the title against second-seeded LIU. The game will take place on the campus of Wagner College on Staten Island and will start at noon. The winner of the game will receive the conference's bid to the NCAA Tournament which starts next week.

The Stags advanced in the tournament with their come-from-behind win against fourth-seeded Rider University as the team erased a 1-0 first-quarter deficit with goals in the second and third quarters for a 2-1 win. Jolanda Richter tallied the tying goal off a play that started on a penalty corner. Agustina Casteluchi secured the lead for the top-seeded Stags with a strong shot from center circle. Goalkeeper Zoe Rosen kept Rider from any more threats, facing seven shots and making three saves in the match.

LIU earned a clean sheet in its win against third-seeded and host Wagner College, scoring a goal just before the first half ended and adding a goal late in the fourth quarter to send the Sharks to the title game. Meilin Liotard collected the first goal of the semifinal match, converting passes from Saarah Olton and Sol Espona with 23 seconds left in the second quarter. Sammy Bell put the game out of reach with her unassisted goal in the 55th minute.

Bell added to her team leading scoring total with her goal on Friday afternoon, raising her total to eight and giving her 16 points in 17 games. Felicia King is not far behind with 14 points, netting five goals and offering four assists along with her team-best three game-winning goals. Emilce Paez also has a double-digit scoring total with 12 points, gathering four goals and four assists. Goalkeeper Rachel Vellis has put together a stellar season for the Sharks, posting a 1.50 goals against average and a .737 save percentage off 70 saves in 17 appearances.

The Stags also have several student-athletes in double figures for scoring with Malen Iglesias pacing the team. The senior, who earned the 2021 NEC Player of the Year award, comes into Sunday's game with nine goals and two assists for 20 points. Danielle Profita (six goals, five assists) and Julianna Kratz (six goals, three assists) round out the top three with 17 and 15 points, respectively. Rosen continues to build on her solid season in the Fairfield goal, sporting a 1.11 goals against average with a .818 save percentage which is based on her 99 saves.