CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Sometimes the results don't go the way they should and today was one of those days. After dominating for 59 minutes of the match, the Fairfield University field hockey team saw its season come to an end with a 2-1 overtime loss to the University of Delaware in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Fairfield's defense was about as good as Head Coach Jackie Kane could hope, not allowing Delaware to create any shots in the second, third and for most of the fourth quarters. The Blue Hens had difficult even getting into the circle for most of the game. It was a big difference from the two team met in the regular-season finale 10 days ago with Delaware taking a 2-0 decision on their home turf.

"Kudos to the team when we played Delaware the first time and just showed them things on the board and they tried it," Coach Kane said. "People played different positions and they stepped up. We learned some things and we were able to practice those things. Today, I think we really handed it to them and they had difficult getting out of our press. We deserved to be there and we dominated most of the game."

Delaware was finally able to generate offense late in the game off five successive corners over the last two minutes. The first four resulted in shots that were handled with two blocks and two saves from goalkeeper Payton Rahn. On the fifth corner, the Blue Hens finally found the back of the cage off a deflection that tied the game at 1-1 with 14 seconds remaining in regulation.

The goal erased Fairfield's 1-0 edge which it held since Erin McGinley's goal in the 20^th minute, a quality chance that also came as a result of a penalty corner. After a couple of passes at the top of the circle, Noor Hellemans found Erin McGinley camped near the far post and sent precision pass to her stick. McGinley was able to redirect the ball into the goal for the Stags' lead.

Fairfield's defense appeared poised to make the goal stand by frustrating the Delaware offense with constant pressure. Each time Delaware tried to make progress, the Stags' midfield and back line just stepped up and prevented any further advance. The strategy worked well for the entire  game as Delaware took a shot in the seventh minute of the first quarter and did not have another opportunity until that two-minute flurry at the end of the game.

Delaware opened the game with a quick run in the opening minutes, putting three shots on goal. Rahn was more than equal to the task including a brilliant stick save on the third attempt that kept the game scoreless.

In overtime, neither team managed to create much offense as both teams ended the 10-minute period without any shots being taken. In the second overtime, Delaware managed a couple of offensive runs, the first resulting in a ball that hit the cross bar flush and bounced back into play. The second one ended the game when Lulu Fulton struck a backhand that eventually found the back of the goal.
Despite the goal, the defensive effort on senior Agustina Casteluchi who acknowledged the play of the team.

"I think we played really well," Casteluchi said. "Defensively we did everything we could, corner after corner but luck was not on our side today. I think we played incredible field hockey  and we showed it out there. When Fairfield field hockey comes to the NCAA tournament, we aren't happy to just be here but we show up to play. I am grateful for Fairfield and my teammate and the opportunity to play here."

For Coach Kane, it was her final game as coach of the Fairfield University field hockey program. She announced her retirement prior to her 30th season at the helm and the team gave her a memorable run in her final year as the Stags' head coach.

"I don't think I have been able to process all the emotions yet because this is my last game," Coach Kane said. "But I am proud of this team and of our seniors. Fairfield will be back here and that's our legacy, the seniors and I. We just don't win our conference and are happy to be in the NCAAs. We come and we mean business and that was evident today. This season was the last one, best one."

It certainly was, one that will be remembered for so many reasons.