FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- After scoring multiple goals off penalty corners in its last game against Mercyhurst, the Fairfield University field hockey once again used the set piece to earn its fourth straight victory by defeating LIU by a 2-0 count on the road. Both of the Stags' goals came off penalty corners, finding the back of the cage in both the third and fourth quarters.

The game resembled a classic defensive struggle for both teams as neither side could mount much of an attack in the first half. By the time halftime rolled around, Fairfield has just one shot toward the goal while LIU managed three attempts. Of those four combined tries, LIU was the only team that forced the goalkeeper to make a save when Emily Streib kicked away the shot just six minutes into the game. 

The Stags best offensive chance of the opening half came with three minutes remaining in the second quarter when Riley LaLoup managed to gain some free space inside the circle and took a shot that skipped wide of the goal. LIU managed just one shot in the second quarter as well, taking a chance six minutes into the quarter but again the ball missed its target.

The second half started to turn to the Fairfield side as the Stags came out of the halftime break with a more spirited attack. LIU was forced to take a more defensive posture and had only a couple of chances to take the ball into the Stags' defensive half. Fairfield continued to press forward until it managed to work out a penalty corner with 11 minutes remaining in the period. Alice Pifferi started the play with a pass to the top of the circle. Konni Hofmann released a shot that was kicked away by goalkeeper Fleur Hofman but the rebounded landed on the stick of Pifferi, who tapped the ball into the open goal for a 1-0 Fairfield lead.

The fourth quarter did not change the momentum by any means as Fairfield continued to control play inside LIU territory, spending a good amount of time inside the circle. Once again, the Stags continued to collect penalty corners with the fifth one being most advantageous. Pifferi put the ball into play from the corner and once again found Hofmann at the top of the circle. This time, she finished the play with a shot to the lower left corner to double the Fairfield lead to 2-0.

LIU began to find more success in the latter part of the fourth quarter as it needed to make increase its efforts to get back into the game. However, the Stags defense was able to hold its line and protected the defensive third. The Sharks finished the final period with seven shots, a substantial part of its 10 shots in the match. When Emily Streib was tested, the fifth-year goalkeeper was able to turn away the chances with three saves. Autumn Bartush picked up a defensive save to help keep the shutout in place when she put her stick on a shot with two minutes remaining in the game.

The Fairfield University field hockey team will close out its Northeast Conference weekend by hosting Merrimack College on Sunday at University Field. Game time is 1 pm.