No. 17 Delaware Edges Fairfield, 4-3, in Overtime to Advance to NCAA First Round

Wednesday, November 10

Newark, DE

1 p.m.

University of Delaware

(13-8)

Fairfield

(14-8)

FFDFH

Delaware

field hockey team celebrates after defeating Fairfield in OT in NCAA Opening Round

Photo by: Mark Campbell

No. 17 Delaware Edges Fairfield, 4-3, in Overtime to Advance to NCAA First Round

11/10/2021 4:26:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

2021 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Bracket

NEWARK, Del. - The No. 17 Delaware field hockey team edged Fairfield, 4-3, in overtime in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament Wednesday afternoon. The Blue Hens advance to the First Round and are set to play Rutgers Friday.

"Relieved we found a way to win today," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "Compliments to Fairfield for coming into our house and putting it to us. Our team was not as consistent as we would have liked to but this is also affected with teams transitioning into NCAA tournament action. This team has shown on numerous occasions to be relentless and willing to make the sacrifices in order to advance. We are looking forward to our rest and preparation opportunities the next two days and are excited to play a good Rutgers on Friday."

With less than a minute remaining in the first period, Kiki Oudshoorn took Fairfield's goalkeeper, Zoe Rosen, one-on-one blasting a shot into the back of the goal to give the Blue Hens 1-0 lead.

Sian Emslie made it a two-goal lead for Delaware, chipping in the ball high into the top of the net just two minutes into the second quarter.

At the end of the first half, Fairfield had an advantage in shots (7-6) and penalty corners (3-1). Goalkeeper Lizzie Gaebel made four stops to Rosen's one.

In the third period, the Blue Hens stretched their lead to three goals after Grace Hoepfner tipped in Julia Duffhuis' shot on a penalty corner.

The Stags chipped away at Delaware's three-goal lead and scored two in the third period to make it a one-goal game. Julianna Kratz scored the Stags' first goal on a corner and Malen Iglesias scored on a penalty stroke.

With four seconds left in regulation, Malen tied the game, 3-3, on a penalty corner, sending the game into overtime.

Delaware started off overtime hot, maintaining possession of the ball and taking three shots. It was Femke Strien that sealed the win for the Blue Hens after forcing her way into the circle and then slinging a shot to hit the back of the goal with nine seconds left in the first overtime period.

Gaebel finished with six saves on the day to earn her 13th win of the season while Stags netminder Zoe Rosen stopped three shots in defeat.

The Blue Hens travel to Piscataway, N.J., for a First Round Game against No. 1 seed Rutgers on Friday at 11 a.m.

For the latest on the Delaware field hockey program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFH and Instagram @Delaware_FH and like "Delaware Field Hockey" on Facebook.