FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University field hockey secured its seventh straight victory this afternoon with a 1-0 decision over Hofstra University, concluding a celebratory day that included honoring the senior class prior to today's game.
"There were a lot of people on the field that mean a lot to me and the program," Head Coach
Jackie Kane said after the game. "Our five seniors and our graduate student come out and work day in and day out, helping us get better and better as a team. They are leaders by what they do and not what they say."
The Class of 2025 certainly made their presence on the field known from the start as the Stags pretty much built momentum throughout the game against a quality opponent in Hofstra. While Fairfield created opportunities, Hofstra goalkeeper Pieke Roos maintained order inside the circle, kicking away eight shots during the match.
Fairfield opened the game with four shots in the first quarter but could not add any onto the total in the second period. However, the Stags showed greater command in the third and fourth quarters, putting forth 11 attempts over the final 30 minutes.
At the heat of that offensive push came the game's lone goal when Fairfield was able to manufacture a successful scoring chance. The play was set up by a penalty corner in the 32
nd minute with
Alice Pifferi inserting the ball into play. Konni Hoffman took a hard shot that was kicked away by Roos before the ball landed on the stick of
Pilar Mengotti. The defender was able to push the ball over the outstretched goalkeeper to give Fairfield all it would need to capture its seventh straight win and eighth victory in nine dates.
Hofstra quicken its pace for the remainder of the second half but the Stags were able to handle any of the offensive sets thrown at them by the opposition. Two shots were able to get by the Stags defense by only one of those needed to be handled by Fairfield goalkeeper
Payton Rahn. By game's end, Rahn faced seven shots and made four saves to record the clean sheet.
Fairfield also showed some offensive prowess in the second half, accounting for 11 of its 15 shots over the final two quarters. But Roos was quite effective in the Hofstra goal, registering six saves in the 30 minutes including five in the third quarter.
The Stags will now turn their attention to Northeast Conference (NEC) play next weekend when the team travels to Saint Francis University for a conference date before finishing the weekend with a trip to Villanova University on Sunday, October 27. Fairfield's final home game of the 2024 campaign takes place on November 1 when the team welcomes Stonehill University for a 4 pm match up at University Field.
