FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University field hockey team remained unbeaten after picking up its third straight win on Thursday afternoon. The Stags rallied to edge Sacred Heart University by a 1-0 score, netting the game winner in the second overtime period. The game also represented the Northeast Conference (NEC) opener for both teams.

Fairfield earned ample opportunities throughout the first quarter, putting four shots on target that required Sacred Heart goalkeeper Hailey Power to make a save. Luzi Persiehl put two attempts on goal in the first two minutes that were turned away which Ymke Huisman followed with a shot that clanged off the post. The second quarter did not provide as many chances for either team with Fairfield holding a 2-0 edge in shots during that 15-minute period. Malen Iglesias was responsible for both tries including one off a penalty corner in 18th minute.

In the third quarter, the Stags worked the ball around the circle on several occasions that resulted in a shot attempt but two of those tries never made it to Power. Persiehl and Emma Matlach combined for two of the team's four shots but both were blocked by a Pioneer defensive player. Fairfield defense continued to be stifling, allowing just one shot in the quarter but the shot was also blocked before it created any danger.

The fourth quarter provided similar results as all but one shot was deflected before getting near the goalkeeper. Persiehl took a shot eight minutes into the quarter which was blocked back to the defender. She controlled the rebound and sent another shot that made it through before being kicked away by Power.

The Stags created the only two scoring opportunities in the first overtime period as Madison Hoskins and Iglesias sent the ball toward the goal but the Sacred Heart goalkeeper pushed both tries aside to keep the game scoreless. It was not until the second overtime that the scoreboard would finally move as Fairfield's Matlach worked some circle magic off a pass from Persiehl's stick work that set up the chance. 

Fairfield goalkeeper Zoe Rosen earned her second shutout in three starts by making two saves, both of which came in the first quarter. The Stags defense did not yield a shot in overtime and only allowed five shots in the game. Fairfield's offense peppered the Sacred Heart defense with 20 shots but Power's seven saves kept the Pioneers in the game.