FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It was the challenge that Head Coach Laura Gebhart wanted as a late-season test. And while it may not have been the result that the Fairfield University field hockey team wanted, it certainly showed this team's mettle going into the postseason.

The Stags saw its 10-match win streak come to an end this afternoon at the hands of Big East foe UConn, falling to their in-state opponent by a 3-2 score . It was the final non-conference match up for the Stags this season, one that also saw Fairfield play nationally-ranked Syracuse University earlier in the year.

"We came out hard and I'm really proud of the pace of play that we initiated against this team," Coach Gebhart said. "At this stage of the season, we were excited for a game against a quality opponent and UConn gave that type of game. But I am really proud of how we played and how we pieced this game together. This was about punching above our weight and the team played relentlessly today."

The start of the game was certainly downhill for the Stags as they controlled play for most of the first quarter. Fairfield doubled up UConn with a 4-2 shot advantage through the first 15 minutes, earning four penalty corners and forcing goalkeeper Natalie McKenna to make a couple of saves off shots from Pilar Mengotti and Konni Hofmann to keep the scoreless.

The Huskies found their pace in the second quarter and began to find more chances inside the circle. Fairfield goalkeeper Payton Rahn kept her opponent in check though, making three stops in the quarter. It wasn't until the 27^th minute when UConn broke through with a goal from Julia Bressler. The Huskies added another goal later in the quarter when Fien Hollander finished a penalty corner opportunity to send her team into halftime with a 2-0 edge.

With the advantage still standing at two goals going into the final quarter, Fairfield was able to put together several runs at the goal that created a more pressure on the Huskies back line. The Stags ended up with eight shots in the final 15 minutes, including one that beat the keeper in the 48^th minute.

Noor Hellemans sent a ball toward goal which Kaelyn Fogelson was able to collect and send toward goal, tucking it just inside the post to cut the lead to 2-1. UConn came back on its next possession and regained its two-goal edge one minute later to push the score to 3-1.

With the game all but over, Fairfield showed some of that relentless posture with one second remaining in the game. The Stags earned a penalty corner and came up empty with no time on the clock. The team gained another corner chance but this time Pilar Mengotti sent the ball toward goal where Konni Hofmann tipped the ball into the cage to end the game with a goal.

"That goal was a gritty statement," Coach Gebhart said. "There was one second left on the clock and it was all or nothing. That mattered to us. It may not get us the W but they chose to step off the field with their heads held high."

Fairfield will finish off its regular-season slate by hosting St. Francis University on Friday, October 31. Although both teams clinched a spot in the NEC Championship on November 6-8, the game has meaning because it will decide the regular-season champion. Both Fairfield and St. Francis bring 8-0 records into the game.