NEWHAVEN, Conn. – The Fairfield University team put together a strong rally but came up a goal short against 18
th-ranked Yale University this evening, falling to the Bulldogs by a 2-1 score.
"I am so incredibly proud of how the team played tonight," Head Coach
Laura Gebhart said. "We held really good pace and there were moments when we had the momentum but didn't capitalize. And when Yale had us on our heels, we were able to withstand the pressure. We didn't back against a tough competitor tonight and were in a position to win."
Fairfield had the better of play in the first quarter, putting six shots on goal.
Catherine Fitzgeralds was first in line, opening the quarter for the Stags with a shot that required attention from goalkeeper Amelie Schwartkopf.
Two more shots found their target which were set up by a penalty corner.
Kylie Corcoran and
Camille Perlov were the beneficiaries of the insertion by
Alice Pifferi, but Schwartzkopf was equal to the task.
Amanda Dressel broke free later in the quarter and sent a backhand toward the upper corner before it was deflected away from danger. Fairfield ended the period with a 7-1 advantage in shots.
Yale broke through early in the second quarter when the Bulldogs earned a penalty corner. The ball landed on the stick of Issy Baileff, who quickly deposited a shot into the far corner for a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs controlled play more in the second quarter, picking up several penalty corners that forced Fairfield goalkeeper
Georgia McDade to turn away all of those opportunities.
The Bulldogs doubled its advantage with a goal in the third quarter when Chiara Picciafuoco broke free in the center circle and sent a shot past the goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead. Picciafuoco finished the night with a goal and an assist for three points.
Just a few minutes later, the Stags put themselves on the scoreboard when
Catherine Fitzgerald worked some magic inside the circle and sent a ball to
Camille Perlov. She redirected the pass past the goalkeeper to cut the lead in half at 2-1 with eight minutes remaining in the quarter.
Yale was able to keep Fairfield at bay in the fourth quarter despite strong ball movement that resulted in several opportunities. By the end of the game, both teams put forth 12 shots. McDade finished the match with a personal best seven saves, including three in the fourth quarter to keep her teammates within a goal.
The Fairfield University field hockey team will begin a three-game home stand on Sunday when it hosts Brown University for a 1 pm match at University Field.
