FAIRFIELD, Conn. – There was a lot of celebrating at University Field on Friday afternoon.

 On one hand, the Fairfield University field hockey team was celebrating the fact that they just clinched a spot in next week's Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament and the chance to play for an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament with its 4-1 win over Stonehill College.

On the other hand, the team was also celebrating the final home game for Head Coach Jackie Kane. In her 30^th season, Coach Kane announced at the start of the season that she would retire following the 2024 campaign. And at that time, the final home game was a distant thought. But today, the realization hit home for both the coach and her team.

In a ceremony prior to the game, the University community honored Coach Kane for her 30 years of coaching. Accompanied by her family, she was escorted through a tunnel formed by her student-athletes at the end of which University President Dr. Mark Nemec, Vice President of Athletics Paul Schlickmann, and Senior Associate Director of Athletics Alison Sexton waited to congratulate her. And in the stands, most of the Fairfield University coaches and many student-athletes applauded the moment.

"The ceremony was unexpected but I appreciate Dr. Nemec, Paul, and Alison and the coaches and everyone from the University that were here supporting me," Coach Kane said. "That's the type of family atmosphere we have developed here at Fairfield University. I really appreciate everyone's support today and through the 30 years that I have coached at Fairfield."

It wasn't much later that the team gave Coach Kane perhaps the best gift that they could give her when Alex Senior scored the game's first goal less than two minutes into the contest. The goal came about when Fairfield received its first corner of the game. Konni Hofmann sent a pass over to Agustina Casteluchi who sent the ball toward goal. Senior was able to deflect the ball past the goalkeeper for the one-goal lead.

The goal would stand up through the first 30 minutes as the two teams combined for eight shots in the first two quarters. The second half started much like the first with Fairfield scoring a goal just 31 seconds into the quarter. This time, it was Casteluchi who finished the scoring chance, a goal set up by Alice Pifferi and Noor Hellemans following a penalty corner.

Stonehill answered with a goal of its own in the closing minutes of the third quarter, taking advantage of a penalty corner with under two minutes remaining.

With Fairfield's lead trimmed to an uncomfortable one goal, the Stags responded with two more goals in the fourth quarter which allowed them to take full control of the outcome. Erin McGinley was responsible for both goals, the first coming in the 50^th minute off an assist from Alex Senior. She followed up with the final goal of the game when she pushed a shot over the goalkeeper after accepting a pass from Noor Hellemans.

"Our corners have been our bread and butter but it was nice to score an open field goal today as well," Coach Kane said. "We made the right choices today especially when handling their pressure which allowed us to come out on top."

The Stags still have one more regular-season game remaining which sends the team to the University of Delaware for a Sunday afternoon meeting. Following that game, Fairfield will focus one its preparation for the NEC tournament with semifinal play beginning on Thursday, November 7. The Stags opponent and game time will be determined later tonight based on other conference game results.