Fairfield, CT - In a late-season non-conference contest, the Hofstra field hockey team came back from a 1-0 deficit to send the game into overtime before winning, 2-1, via shootout over Fairfield Sunday afternoon from University Field. The win puts Hofstra at 7-9 overall.

Fairfield (8-7) got on the board first in the third quarter on the fourth penalty corner opportunity of the contest for the hosts. Danielle Profita received a contested pass directly in front of the Hofstra goal, and she flicked her shot just past a diving Merlijn van der Vegt for the opening goal 1:37 into the third quarter.

Trailing by one with just over five minutes left in regulation, Eline Oldeman battled with a Fairfield defender to claim a loose ball following a Hofstra clearance. She out-muscled her marker and ran with a full head of steam towards the Fairfield goal. Just before another Fairfield defender could take the ball away or block her shot, Oldeman sent a hard backhander through the legs of Stags goalie Zoe Rosen for the equalizer, leveling the score at 1-1 with 5:10 still on the board.

Despite terrific efforts from both teams, including a pair of chances by Cami Larsson and Tara McNally, neither team found the golden goal in either overtime period, thus sending the game to a shootout. Larsson was denied on Hofstra's first attempt, while van der Vegt stonewalled Paige Lowry. Oldeman's effort clanged off the post, and Fairfield took a 1-0 shootout lead after Jolanda Richter converted. McNally scored on her attempt, and van der Vegt turned away Julianna Kratz, before Hofstra took a 2-1 lead thanks to Cami Valor's successful attempt. Fairfield's Agustina Casteluchi couldn't sneak her shot past van der Vegt, and Frankie O'Brien sent the Pride back to Hempstead with a backhanded walk-off winner.

Hofstra will return to Connecticut on Sunday, October 24, for a contest against Yale at 2 p.m.

NOTES:
-Hofstra improves to 30-8 all-time against Fairfield. The Pride snapped a three-game losing streak against Fairfield with today's win.
-This was the second shootout of the season for Hofstra, and Hofstra's first shootout win since September 20, 2019, against Bryant.
-Cecelia DeSimone made her first start since September 1, 2019, against Saint Joseph's and recorded two saves in the first half.
-Merlijn van der Vegt made three saves and earned the win after playing the entire second half, both overtimes, and the shootout period.
-Eline Oldeman scored her seventh goal of the season.
-Fairfield narrowly outshot Hofstra, 12-11, but both teams finished with six shots on goal. Oldeman led the Pride with three shots, all on goal.