FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Goalkeeper Liz Thomas made 15 saves and kept the University of Iowa in check for most of the game, until the Hawkeyes scored two goals late in the second half to take a 3-1 win over the Fairfield University field hockey team on Sunday afternoon.

 For nearly 60 minutes, the Stags field hockey team held their own against the visiting fourth-ranked University of Iowa. It wasn't until the Hawkeyes converted a pair of penalty corners in the final 10 minutes of the game that the Stags were taken out of their upset bid.

Iowa wasted no time in taking the lead of this game, as Jess Werley secured a rebound off a Thomas save and pushed the ball into the back of the goal for a 1-0 score. The Stags were not intimidated by their ranked opponent and came back to tie the score less than two minutes later. Emily Janis tucked home the tying goal off a penalty corner which was started by Amy Hosking. Molly Byrnes received Hosking's pass and sent the ball on goal, which Janis deflected past Iowa goalkeeper Lissa Munley.

With the score tied at halftime, Iowa came out and applied strong pressure for the opening 10 minutes of the half. The Stags took advantage of the Hawkeyes' offensive push by countering with long passes up the sidelines. Amanda Love and Hosking each had a shot that narrowly missed the corner of the goal in the opening 15 minutes of the half.

Iowa continued to put pressure on the Stags defense, but strong play from Chelsea Hicks, Carly McCullough and Kristen McManus kept the Hawkeyes in check and off stride. With under 10 minutes remaining, Iowa received a penalty corner which resulted in the team's second goal as Roz Ellis let loose a shot off the penalty corner which caught the lower left corner for a 2-1 lead. The Hawkeyes put the finishing touch on the game when Jess Werley converted Caitlin McCurdy's pass at 65:45 for a 3-1 lead.

Thomas finished the game with 15 saves, as she faced 28 shots. Lissa Munley made one save for the Hawkeyes.

"We played with intensity and heart today," Head Coach Jackie Kane said. "We followed and executed our game plan but it just didn't go our way late in the game. I think this will show our team that we can play this type of team, which should help us the rest of the season."

The Stags return to action on September 22 when they host Monmouth University at University Field. Game time is slated for 1 pm.