FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The goal may have set many months ago, but it took until today to realize that goal. For the first time, the Fairfield University field hockey team captured back-to-back conference championships, defending its 2024 NEC title with today's 3-0 win over Wagner College in the NEC championship game and earning a berth to the NCAA tournament.

"We have been keeping our heads down, grinding, and working day after day," Head Coach Laura Gebhart said. "It's surreal that we were able to reach a pinnacle that we've been wanting since I came on board in the spring. From the first day, these young women told me that they wanted to win an NEC championship and they did it today."

The Stags accomplished the task with defense, a back line that was relentless throughout the tournament. Fairfield did not allow a shot in the semifinal win against Rider and surrendered just seven shot with only two being on target in the title match.

In fact, it wasn't until the 57^th minute that Wagner was able to release a shot that required goalkeeper Payton Rahn to make a save. The goalkeeper would be required to make one more stop later in the fourth quarter but that would be the extent of Wagner's threat.

While the defense kept the Seahawks in check, the Stags offense moved the ball with fluidity, setting up many opportunities right from the start. Fairfield was on task through the opening 15 minutes, earning six penalty corners and peppering the Wagner defense with nine shots. However, it was the eighth shot of the period that meant the most when Alice Pifferi finished a rebound from an initial save by Wagner keeper Saar Van Dalen, giving Fairfield the lead with five minutes remaining in the opening period.

The Stags added seven more shots in the second quarter, again keeping Wagner on its heels for most of the period. Van Dalen was on her game though, making three saves in the quarter including one highlight-reel stop off a shot from Camille Perlov.

Fairfield was able to break through for the second time in the 25^th minute, again a second-chance opportunity but this time it was finished by Alex Jordon off a pass from Pifferi.

Trailing by a pair of goals, Wagner began the second half with a spirited effort that helped the team hold possession from the start. The Stags took back some of their first-half momentum five minutes into the third quarter by earning a penalty corner. The set piece built up the next scoring chance as Noor Hellemans sent a ball toward goal which Rylee LaLoup was able to tip past the keeper to provide a three-goal margin.

The fourth quarter did not produce any more scoring as both teams created chances but were thwarted by the goalkeepers. Both keepers made two saves over the final 15 minutes as Wagner outshot Fairfield by a 5-2 count.

"We played a consistent 60 minutes just from the possession standpoint so it was good to see them piece together the two-touch passing and not get too far from being out of themselves," Coach Gebhart said. "They were able to keep their composure and stick to what they needed to do which allowed them to play a beautiful passing game."

The Stags placed four student-athletes on the All-Tournament team, namely Catherine Fitzgerald, Catalina Ness, Pilar Mengotti, and Noor Hellemans. Hellemans was designated the tournament most valuable player.

The Stags will find out their next opponent on Sunday night when the NCAA championship field is announced on NCAA.com beginning at 10 pm.