Oct. 15, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- With its season on the line, the Fairfield University field hockey team faced crunch time a little earlier than usual when it started competition this weekend. Facing two of the top four teams in the Northeast Conference on the road certainly did not make things any easier in a 48-hour period. However, Head Coach Jackie Kane watched her team step up with a win over Quinnipiac on Friday, and complete the weekend sweep with a 2-1 double overtime win over Sacred Heart University this afternoon.
While her veteran players made contributions this afternoon, it was the play of a freshman that ended up being the difference against second-place Sacred Heart. Rookie Ashton DiDonato tallied the game-winning goal with 5:17 left in the second overtime to lift her teammates in this must-win game. She scored the goal after sophomore Emily Janis sent a crossing pass into the circle, which DiDonato redirected with her stick past diving Pioneer goaltender Whitney Mills.
Fairfield jumped out to a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the game when Brittany Bates pushed in a rebound off of Chelsea Hick's initial shot, giving the Stags a 1-0 edge. Sacred Heart tied the game four minutes into the second half when Carisa Eye deflected Colleen Carney's shot from the top of the circle into the upper part of the net.
The overtime periods provided a great deal of excitement for both teams, beginning with Fairfield's scoring opportunity one minute into extra time. Caitlin Quinn started the chance with a quick shot off a corner. Mills made the save, but surrendered a rebound to Wendy Carbone, who's put-back shot just skimmed wide. Eye nearly gave the Pioneers a win with a drive that hit the post three minutes later.
Elizabeth Thomas made a season-high 15 saves in the game for Fairfield.
