Late Equalizer, OT Winner Advance Delaware in NCAA Field Hockey Championship

Late Equalizer, OT Winner Advance Delaware in NCAA Field Hockey Championship

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Ben Kane

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Nov. 13, 2024) - CAA Field Hockey Champion Delaware defeated Fairfield 2-1 in double overtime in the Opening Round of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill. 
 
Lulu Fulton scored her second consecutive overtime game-winner, sending a shot into the cage while falling down to complete the double over Fairfield this season and improve to 12-9. The Blue Hens will face top-seeded North Carolina in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at 11 a.m. After the setback, Fairfield concludes the year 12-9.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, the Stags took the lead early in the second quarter. Fairfield’s third penalty corner of the frame proved to be a success, with Erin McGinley finding the back of the cage. Fairfield continued to pressure the Blue Hens’ goal, heading into halftime with a 4-1 lead in shots.
 
Delaware kept the ball inside Fairfield’s defensive half for the majority of the third quarter, however, it was the Stags who had the best opportunity of the frame when Kylie Corcoran thought she had doubled Fairfield’s advantage only for the goal to be disallowed.
 
The Blue Hens capitalized on the no-goal decision, earning five corners in the final two minutes of action. With 15 seconds remaining in the game, Delaware drew the game level after Iris Bekker fired one into the back of the cage off the corner to send the Blue Hens to their second overtime in the past three games. 
 
Fulton nearly won it for Delaware at the start of the second overtime period going up and over the Fairfield goalie, only for the ball to rebound off the crossbar.
 
Less than a minute later, it was Fulton’s name who was called on again and she made the most of her opportunities converting the game-winner. The tally marks the graduate student forward's second consecutive overtime winner after scoring against Monmouth in the CAA Championship game. The win moves Delaware’s record in overtime to 4-3 this season.