Sept. 29, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Head Coach Jackie Kane had her team ready to play against Rider University, as both teams opened the Northeast Conference portion of their schedule this afternoon. The two teams battled each other to the end, but it was Tricia Crotty's goal that led Rider University to a 3-2 win in overtime at University Field. The goal erased Fairfield's valiant second-half come back, as the Stags' late rally that almost ended the game in regulation.
The Stags opened the scoring just nine minutes into regulation when Emily Janis converted a pass from Brittany Bates, surprising the Broncs (7-2 overall) with crisp passing inside the circle. Just seven minutes later, Crotty made a superb pass inside the circle that found Heather Connolly open near the goal, where she quickly deflected a shot past Fairfield goalkeeper Elizabeth Thomas.
Rider pushed ahead just three minutes later with a set play off a penalty corner. Stephanie Durante hit a short corner to Liz Butterbaugh on the left side, who sent a cross into the center circle where Taylor Webb one-timed a shot past Thomas for a 2-1 lead. Rider carried that advantage into the intermission.
The Stags tallied the only goal of the second half when Caitlin Quinn scored off a penalty corner, which was started by Wendy Carbone's pass to Chelsea Hicks. The two teams played each other tightly over the final minutes, but Fairfield's rally in the closing minute almost ended the game in regulation.
Quinn had a point-blank shot from five-yard away that Broncs goaltender Krysta Bearish saved, sending a rebound to Amy Hosking. Hosking tried to slip the ball underneath the goaltender, but Bearish managed to get a piece and keep the game tied at 2-2.
Rider won the game early in the first overtime when Crotty redirected a feed from Webb from deep inside the circle.
