HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- A quick start was the difference in this afternoon's field hockey match between Fairfield University and Hofstra University. The Stags scored two first quarter goals and added another goal in the third quarter to set themselves up for their second win in as many dates, defeating Hofstra by a 3-2 score on the road.

Fairfield scored both of its first quarter goals in the first 10 minutes of the game, beginning with Faith Spaziano's second goal of the season just four minutes into the contest. The junior secured a touch pass from Madison Hoskins just inside the circle and worked her way into open space with a quick touch followed by a shot that beat the goalkeeper. 

Juliana Kratz pushed the lead to 2-0 when she accepted a cross from Carmel Van Dijk inside the center of the circle. Kratz released a hard shot that skipped past the goalkeeper in the ninth minute. The sophomore tacked on the team's third goal with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter after Emma Matlach sent a pass to the center of the circle where Kratz was able to maneuver her shot around the goalkeeper.

Hofstra put together a strong rally in the fourth quarter by scoring twice to cut the deficit down to a goal with 13 minutes remaining in regulation. Mercy Jasterzenski put the first goal on the scoreboard when Jasmijn Verdoes controlled a loose ball near the far post and sent a pass across the front of the goal. Jasterzenski was able to take the pass and redirect the ball past the goalkeeper to bring the score to 3-1.

Just 20 seconds later, Gabriela Espinoza brought the Pride one step closer in their come back bid by using a pass from Verdoes to tally the team's second goal. The Stags defense shut down the home team from that point and kept the one-goal lead intact for the remainder of the game.

Zoe Rosen made two saves in the Fairfield cage to earn her second win of the 2020-21 spring season. Merlijn van der Vegt secured three saves for Hofstra off of Fairfield's nine shots taken.

The Stags will open Northeast Conference play on Thursday, March 18 when the team travels to Sacred Heart University for a 5 pm match. Fairfield returns home for its first conference home game on March 22 when it hosts Bryant University.