FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The last time Fairfield University Women's Lacrosse took the field in MAAC postseason, Kelly Horning netted the overtime game-winner to send Fairfield to the conference title. On Saturday on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium, the Stags went into an extra session with Marist in a MAAC Quarterfinal, and Horning got the call again, burying her sixth goal of the day to send Fairfield to a 14-13 triumph.
 
Top-seeded Fairfield (11-1) will host the winner of today's meeting between Quinnipiac and Niagara (currently in progress) in the MAAC Semifinals on Thursday, May 6 at Rafferty Stadium. Marist, which advanced past Iona in Friday's play-in game, ends its campaign at 3-5.
 
Horning's six-goal effort matched her career high, and included the 100th marker of her Fairfield career. The MAAC Midfielder of the Year also scooped up five ground balls and five draw controls along with three caused turnovers.
 
"Kelly has had big games and scored important goals, but today was something more than that," said Head Coach Laura Field. "This was her taking command and willing us to a victory."
 
Horning's goal punctuated a late rally for the Stags, who found themselves trailing 13-11 with just 4:08 remaining in regulation. The run began with Ellie Grefenstette winning a ground ball in front of the cage and connecting with Arianna Lavelle, who scored her fourth goal of the day to match her career high and pull the Stags to within one at 13-12 with 1:50 remaining.
 
Lindsey Barnes came away with the ensuing draw control to keep possession with the Stags, and Horning earned a free possession shot as the clock ticked under one minute to go. The Fairfield tri-captain calmly converted the chance to knot the game at 13-13. Marist won the next draw with a chance to win in regulation, but the Stags' defense pressured the Red Foxes into a late turnover and cleared the ball out of harm's way as time expired.
 
Nicollette LaVista started the overtime with a draw control win, but Lavelle's shot attempt was turned away by Marist goalkeeper Delaney Galvin. The Red Foxes worked the ball around the crease and found Kerri Gutenberger, but her point-blank attempt was stoned by Olivia Conquest – her 11th save of the afternoon to stake the Stags to another offensive chance.
 
Fairfield cleared the ball into the attacking zone and found Horning, who worked into the arc and beat Galvin to send the Stags into the semifinals with a 14-13 triumph.
 
In addition to Horning and Lavelle's combined 10 goals, Grefenstette netted one goal and two assists. Libby Rowe added a goal and an assist, with Meaghan Graham and Diana DeVita scoring one goal apiece.
 
On the defensive end, Caroline Mangan posted three caused turnovers and Barnes forced two Marist miscues to go along with four ground balls. Reagan Bossolina, Keyla Bay and Hailey Durkin also all corralled two grounders as a part of the defensive effort.
 
Marist was led offensively by five goals from Samantha Mehalick and a four-goal, one-assist performance from Devon Connolly. Galvin made 12 saves in the Red Fox cage.
 
More information regarding Fairfield's semifinal matchup on Thursday at Rafferty Stadium will be announced as it is finalized by the conference office. Should the Stags advance, they will host the 2021 MAAC Championship Game on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium on Sunday, May 9.