PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Fairfield University field hockey team took an early lead but saw host University of Delaware rally to post a 3-2 win on Sunday afternoon. The Stags completed their weekend with a 1-1 record after opening with a victory over Towson on Friday.
The first quarter slanted toward the Stags as the visitors were able to take control of play throughout the first 15 minutes. It didn't take Fairfield very long to grab the early lead when the team earned a penalty corner just five minutes into the game.
Alice Pifferi sent the ball to
Noor Hellemans who found
Konni Hofmann at the top of the circle. Hofmann finished with a shot that was tucked inside the near post for the 1-0 lead. The Stags would finish the quarter with a slight 2-1 edge in shots along with the one-goal edge.
Delaware would get the better of things in the second quarter, holding the advantage by a 3-2 count in shots. The Blue Hens took advantage of their first penalty corner as well, scoring in the 20
th minute when Josefina Dalessandro finished the scoring chance, tying the match at 1-1.
The third quarter did not favor either team although Fairfield seemed to control the flow a little more efficiently during those 15 minutes of work. The home team managed to take two of the three shots in the period but neither goalkeeper was forced to make a save in the quarter.
Both teams enjoyed their best offensive success over the final quarter, beginning with Delaware converting on another penalty corner. Saar DeBoer finalized the scoring chance when she redirected a ball sent from the top of the circle and caught the near corner for a 2-1 lead.
Fairfield was able to find the equalizer with a second-chance effort that came about in the 54
th minute. After Hofmann's initial shot was kicked away, the graduate student was able to collect the carom. She sent a pass across the front of the goal where Pifferi was able to deflect the cross into back of the goal.
Delaware found the game winner when it earned another penalty corner when Linde van Leeuwen converted the insertion for the team's third goal.
The Blue Hens finished with a 10-7 edge in shots taken but the Stags held a 5-3 advantage with shots on goal.
The Fairfield University field hockey team will return home for a pair of games next weekend, beginning with a Friday match up against CAA opponent Hofstra University followed by a non-conference date with on Sunday against Lehigh University.
