FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey team opened the home portion of its 2021 schedule against a former conference rival and the game did not disappoint those who watched the two teams renew the series. Monmouth University held on for a 2-1 win against the Stags as Fairfield made a valiant run at a come back that just fell short.

The Hawks held their own early in the game, keeping the home team mainly on its half of the pitch for a majority of the first two quarters. Monmouth finished off the first quarter as well as it could have hoped by making a last second run.

With time winding down, Annick Van Lange sent a long pass from inside the Hawks side of the field and connected with Colleen Craven. She accepted the pass and ran straight to goal and released a shot that crossed the goal line as time expired to put the visiting team in front.

Monmouth continued to apply pressure in the second quarter which kept Fairfield from mounting any continuity in the offensive third. The Hawks ended up outshooting the Stags by a 5-0 count over the 15 minutes with the final shot almost doubling the lead. Zoe Rosen was able to make a diving stop in the closing seconds to keep the deficit at 1-0 at the half.

The two teams played a scoreless third quarter but Fairfield seemed to find more rhythm up front. While the offense started to click more in the second half, the defense closed down the opposition. With only three shots being taken in the quarter, Fairfield held a 2-1 edge in the category, its first advantage of the game.

But just as Fairfield seemed poised to make a run at tying the game, Monmouth finally broke through for its second goal when Lorane Vanneste converted a penalty corner in the 51^st minute of the game to make it a 2-0 advantage.

The home team connected for its first goal just five minutes later as Gabby and Hannah Saxon pushed forward with the ball and set up Madison Hoskins for a goal that brought the score to 2-1. While Fairfield made a strong effort to tie the game in the closing minutes, Monmouth was able to keep the score as it was. The Hawks nearly added to their lead on the final play of the game when they were awarded a penalty stroke which Rosen turned away.

Fairfield returns to the pitch on Sunday when it continues non-conference play with an afternoon match with Yale University. Fairfield's next home game is scheduled for Sunday, September 12 against Temple at noon.