The Fairfield University women’s field hockey team completed a memorable postseason run by winning the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship for the second year in a row, defeating Rider University 2-0 in the semifinal on Thursday and Wagner College 3-0 in the final on Saturday at University Field. The Stags entered the tournament as the top seed after going undefeated in the Northeast Conference play during the regular season. From the opening whistle on Thursday to the final horn on Saturday, Fairfield showed why it has become the dominant program in the NEC, both offensively and defensively.
In the semifinal against Rider, Fairfield controlled the pace early but needed time to break through. The Stags generated several scoring chances in the opening quarter, moving the ball well and pressuring Rider’s defense, but the Broncs held firm for the first 15 minutes. Fairfield stayed patient and continued to press, and the breakthrough came later in the second quarter. Junior midfielder Catherine Fitzgerald stepped into the spotlight by scoring her first goal of the year. She reacted quickly to a loose ball in front of the cage and shot it into the net, giving the stags a 1-0 lead.
The goal boosted Fairfield’s energy, and within minutes of the second half starting, Fitzgerald struck again. This time, she calmly placed the ball into the corner of the cage, doubling the lead and giving the Stags a 2-0 lead.
“It was a surreal moment and one that I won’t forget. The whole game I was just focused on doing my job well and staying composed. I was lucky to have gotten two goals,” explained Fitzgerald. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates pushing me every day in practice and always trusting in me to play my game.”
The Stags did not allow Rider a single shot on goal the entire game, shutting down passing lanes and clearing the ball effectively. By the final quarter, Fairfield had full control of the game, moving the ball smartly and running out the clock to secure the 2-0 victory and a spot in the championship match.
Two days later, Fairfield returned to its home turf ready to defend the title. The Stags started fast against Wagner, keeping possession and applying immediate pressure. Their aggressive play earned multiple penalty corners early, and they kept attacking until they found the opening goal. Graduate forward Alice Pifferi, one of the team’s leaders and most experienced players, scored late in the first quarter to give Fairfield a 1-0 advantage.
The crowd erupted and the Stags built on that momentum heading into the second period. Fairfield continued to dominate possession and first-year forward Alex Jordan scored in the second quarter by redirecting a pass from Pifferi into the goal, extending the lead 2-0. Jordan’s goal gave Fairfield even more confidence and put Wagner in a position where they needed to chase the game.
Fairfield added a third goal in the third quarter when sophomore forward Rylee Laloup finished a well-placed pass into the back of the cage. With a 3-0 lead and the home crowd behind them, the Stags carried on that momentum through the remainder of the game.
Their defense, which had already been a strength all year, once again limited opportunities and kept Wagner from making a shot. The Stags stayed composed in the final minutes, clearing balls cleanly, holding possession, and closing out another shutout.
“For the past several months, we’ve focused on humility in our approach to every game,” said Head Coach Laura Gebhart. “Relentlessness in how we practice and compete, and unity – recognizing that every player has to bring their best to push the team forward.”
When the final horn sounded, Fairfield players rushed onto the field to celebrate a second straight NEC title. Families and fans cheered from the stands as the team lifted the championship trophy, celebrating a season defined by teamwork, effort, and consistency.
In both games, the Stags demonstrated strong ball movement, calm decision-making and a defense that refused to break. With back-to-back conference championships secured, Fairfield now shifts its focus to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament, where it looks to carry the same intensity onto the national stage. They will face Boston University today at 2 p.m. in Princeton, NJ, for the first round of the tournament.
