Fairfield Advances to MAAC Field Hockey Championship Final with Upset Win over Monmouth
MAAC Sports
West Long Branch, NJ – Fourth seeded Fairfield University upsets number one seeded Monmouth University, 2-1, in the semifinal round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Field Hockey Championship at So Sweet A Cat Field on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey.
In the first period, the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year junior forward Ann Burgoyne of Fairfield scored the lone goal of the period less than two and half minutes into the contest. While Monmouth had the shot advantage (7-to-1) in the period, Fairfield’s tough defense and junior goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett’s four saves wouldn’t allow the Hawks to get on the board.
In the 51st minute of the contest, the Hawks got on the board with an unassisted goal from freshman forward Georgia Garden Bachop. After three back to back to back corners and a tough defensive line from Monmouth, the Stags capitalized on Ann Burgoyne’s second goal on the day at the 59th minute mark. What proved to be the game winning goal, was assisted by senior midfielder Emily McCauley, giving Fairfield the 2-1 edge.
Winning goalkeeper, Bennet finished the day with eight saves, while the MAAC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Christen Piersanti had two saves in the Monmouth loss.
Fairfield advances to the Field Hockey Championship Final, which will be on Sunday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m. Fairfield will face the winner of the second semifinal game between third seed Rider University and second seed Quinnipiac.