BROOKVILLE, N.Y.- After a 2-0 week, the Long Island University field hockey team is looking to carry the momentum into the final regular season Northeast Conference game and non-conference game this weekend. The Sharks will close out NEC play on Friday afternoon with a trip to Fairfield to take on No. 24 Fairfield University, and will conclude the 2019 regular season with a trip to Philadelphia to take on Temple University on Sunday afternoon.
 
LIU at No. 24 Fairfield
Friday, November 1
3:00 p.m.
Fairfield, Conn.
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LIU at Temple
Sunday, November 3
1:00 p.m.
Philadelphia, Pa.
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NOTES ON THE SHARKS
The Sharks have won their last three NEC games, and went 2-0 in conference play last week. With the win over Sacred Heart last Friday, the Sharks clinched a spot in the NEC playoffs, and the seeding of the four-team tournament will be determined after Friday's matchup with the Stags. LIU is currently tied for second with Rider in the league standings, with Fairfield currently sitting in first.
 
In the first game last week, Sammy Bell scored two goals, including the game-winner in double overtime against Sacred Heart. Bell leads the team with nine goals on the season, and has scored in four of the last five games. Alexis Ruiz scored the game tying goal which would eventually force overtime against the Pioneers. Rachel Vellis, this week's NEC Defensive Player of the Week, made five saves against the Pioneers, including three in the first overtime frame to keep the game tied. She then shut out Bryant on Sunday, making seven saves against the Bulldogs. The NEC Rookie of the Week, Felicia King, scored her first career goal which was the difference maker in the 1-0 win over Bryant on Sunday.
 
SCOUTING THE STAGS
The No. 24 Fairfield University Stags comes into Friday's matchup winners of their last seven games, and are undefeated in conference play. The Stags are coming off a 3-1 win at Merrimack on Saturday. Fairfield rallied to score two goals in the third quarter to break open a 1-1 tie and push Fairfield in front of Merrimack. Zoe Rosen had three saves in the win against the Warriors after facing just five shots. Emily Halderson scored the game-tying goal late in the second quarter, while Kelly Buckley scored the two third quarter goals. The reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Week, Luzi Persiehl, tallied three assists last week, while two of her assists were on both game-winning goals for the Stags.
 
SCOUTING THE OWLS
The Temple University Owls take on Big East foe Quinnipiac on Friday before Sunday's matchup. The Owls are currently 6-9 on the season with a 2-4 Big East Conference record, and are coming off a 1-0 loss against No. 18 Rutgers last Sunday. Cristina Carotenuto made 13 saves in net for the Owls, only allowing one goal. Claire Thomas had a shot of goal for the Owls. Dani Batze leads the team with six goals this season, while Nienke Oerlemans and Kerrie Lorenz each have five assists. Carotenuto has 63 saves this season and comes into the weekend with a .733 save percentage.
 
UP NEXT
The Sharks will find out the seeding for the NEC Championship after Friday's game against the Stags. The NEC Semifinals will be on Friday, November 8, and will be played at the Wagner College Field Hockey Complex in Staten Island, N.Y. A full preview of the NEC Championship will be available next week on www.liuathletics.com.