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Staten Island, NY -- Fairfield kepts its perfect NEC record and NCAA aspirations intact, but it wasn't easy.

Upset minded LIU (7-11) led for most of Sunday’s NEC Field Hockey championship game, but on the back of a three goal fourth quarter, top-seeded Fairfield (14-7) will be bringing the trophy home for a second time.

The NEC regular season champion Stags scored three times in a 10-minute span late in the contest to earn the 3-1 win at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY.

The third-seeded Sharks struck first early in the first quarter after Saarah Olton (Diego Martin, Trinidad/Holy Name Convent) found the back of the net off of the penalty corner opportunity just 1:34 into the opening frame.

The 1-0 score would hold heading into halftime.

Fairfield finally broke through early in the fourth quarter on a penalty corner opportunity when Danielle Profita (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills Regional) deflected the ball into the net after inserting on the penalty corner.

The Stags would take the lead just six minutes later on a great individual effort by tournament MVP Jolanda Richter (Berlin, Germany), who spun off of her defender before cashing in.

Fairfield added an insurance goal from Agustina Casteluchi (Salta, Argentina) in the 57th minute.

Fairfield goalkeeper Zoe Rosen made four saves, while LIU netminder Rachel Vellis made three stops for the Sharks.

The Stats will learn of their NCAA opponent when the Field Hockey Selection Show is streamed live on NCAA.com tonight at 10 pm.

NEC Field Hockey All-Tournament Team
Jolanda Richter, FFD (Tournament MVP)
Luzi Persiehl, FFD
Zoe Rosen, FFD
Gabby Saxon, FFD
Saarah Olton, LIU
Samantha Olton, LIU
Rachel Vellis, LIU
Sierra Giuliano, Rider
Lyric Scott, Rider
Julia Cruces, WC
Liselotte Koop, WC