FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It all comes down to one game. On Friday afternoon, the Fairfield University field hockey team will host Saint Francis University for a game that will determine the NEC regular-season champion. The game is slated for 3 pm on October 31.
While both teams have already locked up a berth in the four-team NEC championship next week, the number one seed and regular-season title have yet to be determined. Both the Stags and the Red Flash are unbeaten in conference play with 8-0 records. The winner of Friday's game will take the top spot in the NEC championship on November 6-8 and will be hosted by Fairfield University regardless of Friday's outcome.
Besides being 8-0, Saint Francis brings an 11-match winning streak into the October 31 game. The Red Flash won all five of its home games and an impressive nine road games to comprise its 14-3 overall record. The team last lost a game on September 14 at Indiana University which set the team's mark at 3-3.
The team has not had any difficulty scoring goals during its current run, tallying three or more in eight of those 11 victories including three with five or more goals. Sofia Marciano represents the team's top scorer with a conference-best 19 goals plus two assists for 40 points. While Marciano finishes, Cruz Canepa creates the opportunities as illustrated by her NEC-best 17 assists. Emilie Myers has five goals on the season but four of those scores are game winners.
Mia DiGenova has played every minute in the Saint Francis goal, posting a 1.17 goals against average with a .778 save percentage based on 70 saves through her 17 appearances. DiGenova along with her back line have registered 10 shutouts this season.
The Stags saw its 10-game win streak come to an end against UConn, currently ranked #20 in the nation, on Sunday by a 3-2 score. The Huskies were the second ranked opponent on this year's schedule which also included a match up with Syracuse University.
Konni Hofmann scored a goal against UConn, one of three goals scored last week, to take over the team lead in scoring with 11 goals. She also posted two goals against LIU two days prior which helped her garner the NEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week. She joined
Kaelyn Fogelson on the award list as the freshman captured the NEC Rookie of the Week after scoring a goal in both games last weekend.
Alex Senior also had a hand in the team's offensive success last weekend, giving her 24 points on the season with 10 goals and four assists.
Pilar Mengotti rounds out the top three scorers for Fairfield, registering eight goals and six assists for 22 points.
Payton Rahn continues to build upon her successful season, bringing a 1.52 goals against average with a .667 save percentage off 48 saves over 17 games.
Fairfield and Saint Francis will comprise two of the four teams at next week's NEC championship hosted by the Stags. The semifinals will take place on Thursday, November 6 at 11 am and 2 pm. The championship match will begin at noon on Saturday, November 8.
