STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Fairfield University field hockey advanced to the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship final on Sunday with a 2-1 win over second-seeded and host Wagner College this afternoon. The victory sets up a 12 pm match with top-seeded Rider University, a 2-0 win over Saint Francis University in the first semifinal.
The Stags found their offensive stride over the last seven games of the regular season, averaging almost four goals per game during that stretch. Most of that surge could be traced back to the team's ability to convert on penalty corners. Today was no different as both Fairfield goals came off set pieces.
Fairfield was successful at moving the ball around the pitch which caused Wagner to chase in order to gain possession. By moving from side to side, the Stags were able to advance the ball into dangerous positions through most of the first half. The team's first true opportunity when
Nora Amme found space in the circle and sent a shot toward goal that Daisy Ruhle kicked away.
While the Stags misfired on their three penalty corners of the first quarter, they were more productive off the play in the second quarter. Three minutes into the quarter, Fairfield earned another penalty corner which was inserted by
Frances Mirabile.
Nora Amme accepted the pass and sent a pass behind her back to
Julianna Kratz. The senior had plenty of space off the deceptive pass and sent the ball past the goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.
Mirabile earned another opportunity when Wagner surrendered another penalty corner and started the play with a direct pass to
Agustina Casteluchi. She one-timed a shot that found the back of the cage and gave improved Fairfield's lead to 2-0 with 1:24 on the clock.
The second half had a different pace as Wagner came with an aggressive attack that pushed the Stags into a more defensive mode. The Seahawks began to find more room in the circle which led to more chances to test Fairfield goalkeeper
Payton Rahn. But the sophomore was able to weather the uptick and the game remained at 2-0 following the third quarter.
Over the final 15 minutes, Wagner again applied pressure and pushed everyone forward trying to keep play on Fairfield's side of the pitch. The Seahawks' strategy led to seven penalty corners and eight shots during the fourth quarter, forcing Rahn to make three of her seven saves on the afternoon.
Wagner broke through the Stags' defense midway through the quarter when Julia Cruces Pastorino found the far corner of the goal with a back hand shot that closed the gap to 2-1. However, the sophomore did not yield again for the rest of the game, helping the Stags advance to the championship game.
"We had a good half but struggled a little bit in the second half which was a result of Wagner changing their press," Head Coach
Jackie Kane said. "We stood firm at the end as they applied pressure and showed a lot of grit. I am really proud of how the team came together to get the win."
