Hempstead, NY – Despite two goals from junior Mercy Jasterzenski and freshman Gabriela Espinoza in the fourth quarter, the Hofstra field hockey team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Fairfield on Friday from Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.

Hofstra falls to 2-4 on the year as their two-game winning streak comes to an end with the loss. On the other side, Fairfield improves to 2-0 following today's win and a 3-0 win over UAlbany on Tuesday.

Trailing 3-0 in the fourth quarter, Hofstra lined up for its third penalty corner of the afternoon. Jasterzenski sent the ball in for freshman Karissa Hough, who squared the ball up for junior Cami Larsson. Larsson passed to junior Djuna Slort on her right, who sent the ball towards freshman Jasmijn Verdoes on the near post. Verdoes sent the ball across the goal towards a waiting Jasterzenski, and she redirected the pass into the back of the net.

Moments after the first goal, Hofstra would strike again as Espinoza tallied her first collegiate goal to make it 3-2 in the final quarter. Verdoes and the Pride pressed Fairfield into a turnover deep in their own end of the field, and the freshman collected the ball and drove straight towards goal. She fired a shot on target that was saved, but Espinoza was in the right place to flick the loose ball past the charging Fairfield goalkeeper.

The Stags opened the scoring after forcing a Hofstra turnover in the Pride defensive half. They attacked with numbers and finished past the right foot of sophomore Merlijn van der Vegt. They would find the back of the net for a second time in the first quarter off a rebound following a van der Vegt diving save.

The third Fairfield goal came halfway through the third quarter. Fairfield attacked down the far sideline and bypassed the Hofstra defense with multiple passes. They eventually found their way into the shooting arc and the Fairfield player found their teammate for the goal.

Verdoes led all Hofstra players with three shots in today's game, while Slort and sophomore Mercedes Currie took two shots each. In net, van der Vegt made three saves against the Stags.

Hofstra heads back to the turf on Sunday, March 14, for a meeting against UAlbany in the final non-conference game of the season. The start time for Sunday is scheduled for 2 p.m. There will be no spectators allowed inside Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.

NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 27-10 all-time against Fairfield.
-With two assists today, Jasmijn Verdoes now has seven points on the year. She is now tied with Northeastern's Lauren Rowe for the most points in the Colonial Athletic Association.
-Despite being outshot 4-1 in the opening quarter, Hofstra eventually came out on top with 10 shots to Fairfield's nine.
-Hofstra earned four penalty corners, giving them 27 penalty corners on the year.