RICHMOND, Va. – Winning four straight games is not an easy task. But winning four straight games without allowing a goal is even more impressive. And that's what the Fairfield University field hockey has done over the last two weeks, extending its winning streak with its fourth straight clean sheet – a 2-0 victory at VCU this afternoon.
Goalkeeper
Paige Jackson made two fourth-quarter saves to preserve the clean sheet, giving her 245 consecutive scoreless minutes. The Stags backline has been particularly stingy in regard to shots, yielding just 12 shots in the past four contests and only six that have been on goal. Today, VCU took its first shot of the game in the 13
th minute but was unable to make another attempt at goal until the 57
th minute.
While the Fairfield defense was stifling once again, the offense was able to create the opportunities necessary to win the team's eighth game of the season. The Stags were creative inside the circle today, taking 11 shots with eight being on goal. Nearly half of Fairfield's shots came in the third quarter as the team managed five attempts with one finding the back of the cage.
Fairfield opened up the scoring just five minutes into the contest when the team earned its first penalty corner of the game. The Stags, which lead the CAA with 102 penalty corners on the season, converted on this one.
Alice Pifferi inserted the ball directly to
Kylie Corcoran, who tucked her shot just inside the near post to push the team in front at 1-0.
The Stags continued to control the flow by pushing forward with that pressure forcing VCU to spend most of the first half in a defensive posture. Despite Fairfield's ability to move the ball, the score remained 1-0 by the time halftime came.
Fairfield secured its second goal of the game when it was awarded a penalty corner in the 43
rd minute.
Kylie Corcoran and
Hadley Hoffsmith set up the goal with precision passing that eventually found the stick of
Alyse Wanchisen, who pushed the ball past the goalkeeper which increased the lead to 2-0.
VCU put together its best scoring chances in the final three minutes when the Rams were able to earn three consecutive penalty corners which produced all three of the team's second-half shots.
Paige Jackson kicked away two of those opportunities while the third was off target, allowing the Stags to complete the clean sheet.
The Fairfield University field hockey team will return to campus for its final home game of the season, hosting Northeastern University in a CAA match up. The game is scheduled for a 3 pm start at University Field.
