STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Fairfield University field hockey team rallied to stay unbeaten in Northeast Conference (NEC) play and to secure its 10^th win of the season by edging Wagner College on the road this afternoon. The Stags finished the day with a 4-0 mark and are the lone remaining undefeated team in conference play with three games still left on the NEC docket. The decision also extended the team's winning streak to six games.

Wagner challenged the Stags from the opening whistle and held possession early in the match. Slowly, Fairfield began to wield back control of the match and started to counter the home team's aggressive start. The defense managed to release the pressure whenever Wagner entered the circle, turning away a few penalty corners, which would often lead to outlet passes which set the offense off and running toward goal.

One of those opportunities would lead to Fairfield's first goal when Dominique Van Der Zee gained control of the ball about 15 yards from goal, carried the ball to the right side of the circle, and hit a shot that caught the far corner past the diving goalkeeper, pushing the score to 1-0 with two minutes left in the first quarter.

Fairfield was able to maintain that lead with the same formula it has used throughout the season, keeping the opposition's offense off-balance with an aggressive defensive posture. Up front, Fairfield tried to break through for a second goal, but Wagner's back line was equally effective at cutting off any offensive opportunities with the exception of a few penalty corners.

Neither team was able to score in the second quarter, maintaining Fairfield's one-goal edge at intermission. The third quarter played out in similar fashion which enabled the Stags to preserve their 1-0 lead heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was perhaps the most successful for both offenses as the Stags and the Seahawks were able to create chances inside the circle more regularly. Wagner converted its first chance of the final period when Shaelyn Krobrynich redirected a pass from Floortje Leunisse just seconds into the quarter to tie the game at 1-1.

The deadlock last only a few minutes until Fairfield was granted a penalty corner in the 50^th minute. After the initial shot was saved by Wagner goalkeeper Puck Schenk, sophomore Alex Senior was positioned to beat the goalkeeper by pushing a shot back toward the near post.

Wagner tried to mount several counters over the final 10 minutes but was only able to generate a few shots, all of which was handled by Stags goalkeeper Payton Rahn. Rahn finished the day with a  pair of saves while her counterpart was credited with five stops.

The Stags offense was rather efficient by putting seven of its 10 shots on target. Wagner ended the match with 13 attempts but only three were on goal.

Fairfield closes out its weekend with a trip to the University of Maine for a non-conference game on Sunday afternoon.