By spending just a few minutes talking with the members of the Fairfield men’s soccer team senior class of 2007, it is easy to see how close they all are. The five seniors, Mike Troy, Alex Cunliffe, Mike Calabrese, Robbie Gallina, and Jimmy Gaughan, are all good friends and their friendship, as well as their talent on the field and character off the field, make their class a special one.
Head coach Carl Rees believes that this class is one that will be hard to replace.
“The thing I will miss most about this group of guys is their personalities,” Rees said. “They are all great guys, and while it is easier to replace players, it is a lot harder to replace the character
that these guys all bring to the team.”
With many close friends and family members in the crowd, the Stags’ seniors played their final regular season game at Lessing Field on Sunday against Rider. Prior to the game the five players were honored for their contributions to the school and the team.
Coach Rees and his assistants, David Thomas and Patrick Wiseman, handed out a signed soccer ball in a case and flowers to the seniors and their parents, who accompanied their sons onto the field.
Mike Troy, from nearby Sandy Hook, Conn. is a versatile player who has been a key player on the Stags’ team since his freshman season. Troy was a member of the MAAC All-Rookie team his freshman year as a forward and was a member of the All-MAAC second team as a defender last season. Troy has eleven career goals and twenty-six career points for the Stags.
Alex Cunliffe, a native of Lanchashire, England, has had his best season in his Stags’ career this year, leading the team with seven goals and sixteen points. Cunliffe figuratively passed the torch to freshman Christian Uy against Rider, assisting on the game winning goal, as the Stags’ won 1-0. Cunliffe’s assist was the 34th point of his career, moving him into a tie with Bryan Harkin `02 for tenth place on the Stags’ career points list. Cunliffe’s thirteen career goals moves him into eighth place on the Stags’ career goals list.
Mike Calabrese, from Wyckoff, New Jersey, has been a vital player for the Stags’ as both a starter and a role player. Calabrese began his career as a starting midfielder in 2004 and moved into a reserve role in his final three seasons with the Stags. Calabrese tied for the team lead in assists with four in 2004 as he started in ten games. As a reserve, Calabrese has been an essential member of the team, scoring one goal and recording one assist since the 2004 season.
Robbie Gallina, a midfielder from Rochester, New York, is a role player who has played in twenty one career games for Fairfield. Gallina has provided depth in the midfield and was an important reserve during his freshman season.
Jimmy Gaughan, a defender from Vienna, Virginia, has been important this season, stepping in to play a key role in the defense due to injuries. Gaughan scored his three career goals in 2004. Gaughan has played in 13 games this season.
The seniors gathered together following the game, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. The five came to a consensus of what they will miss most about Fairfield, saying, “we will miss the day to day soccer and games on the weekends. We will miss the friends we have made here, the home games this season with great fan support, and the comradely among our fellow teammates and coaches.”
Cunliffe feels that their best moment is still to come.
“We have had a lot of great memories over the years,” Cunliffe said, “But hopefully our best memory will come in two weeks when we win the MAAC Championship on our home pitch.”
Calabrese added some of his favorite moments, “the undefeated season was great, traveling to some big teams like NC State and beating them was good, the bus trips, the stays at hotels, were all good times.”
Troy felt that today was a day he would never forget.
“It was great to win on Senior Day, in front of a lot of close friends and family,” Troy said.
“I’ll miss the cafeteria food,” added Cunliffe as his fellow seniors laughed.
The seniors will be missed for their on field talent, but will also be missed for what they bring to the team off the field. Coach Rees believes that this class is one he would like to bring in every season.
“If each class has the caliber of people that this one does, then I’ll be more than happy. They are all great guys on and off the field,” Rees said, “If we can recruit classes like this one, the program will be in great shape for years to come.”
The seniors played their final regular season game at Lessing Field against Rider, but will return to the home field for the MAAC playoffs in two weeks. Next weekend the seniors make their final road trip to Buffalo, to play Niagara and Canisius in their last regular season games.
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