The new year has the women’s soccer team looking to return to the NCAA Tournament after failing to earn a spot last year. The team finished third in the MAAC and advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC tournament before falling short last year.
The Stags are lead by third-year coach Jim O’Brien. O’Brien led the Stags to a MAAC Tournament Championship and a bid in the NCAA Tournament during his first season at Fairfield in 2005. But the Stags fell short in the MAAC Tournament last year, losing in the semifinals.
However, help is on the way.
The Stags are bringing in arguably their most hyped freshman class ever. Soccerbuzz.net has Fairfield’s class ranked ninth in the Northeast region, the team’s highest ranking ever.
Freshman forward Nicole Cavallaro was ranked the 108th best recruit in the nation by soccerbuzz.net and was an NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) High School All-American.
“[The freshmen have] done well,” said senior goalie and co-captain Brett Maron. “Three of them have been able to come in and compete for some fierce minutes. Nicole Cavallaro had a great game in our home opener. We are hoping to get more of that from her.”
Cavallaro was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week this week after her one-goal, two-assist performance in a win against Colgate.
In O’Brien’s two seasons as coach, the Stags have had six players named to the MAAC Rookie Team, a testament to his recruiting ability
Not only does Fairfield have some new talent coming in, but it also returns some of its key players from last year’s 9-7-4 overall record (5-2-2 MAAC).
Maron was named Third Team All-Northeast Region by the NSCAA and was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Year.
“The team’s got a great deal of experience and a lot of good players. [Maron is] called upon to be a presence in the goal that she always is. However, now that the team is a lot more balanced and has a lot more depth, her job is to lead the team by example and also do what is necessary for us to be successful defensively.”
The team’s depth continues with upperclassmen and underclassmen as well.
Fellow senior Alex Caram was second on the team last year with 16 points and was named to the All-MAAC first team.
Sophomore Casey Frobey is looking to avoid a sophomore slump and build on her freshman campaign in which she led the Stags in goals with 12 and points with 27. Her 12 goals were the third highest in the program’s history.
The Stags are already on their way toward working for another MAAC Tournament bid and championship. They are currently 2-1-1 on the year with their only loss to Seton Hall, who came into the game ranked 14th in the Mid-Atlantic region according to soccerbuzz.net.
“We’ve definitely experienced highs and lows,” said Maron.
The women credited their play against Colorado as one of the high points, coming back from a deficit to finish with a 1-1 double overtime tie. But the team experienced a low the next game against Seton Hall, falling short 2-0.
The Stags rebounded after the loss with a 3-0 over Colgate in their home opener.
O’Brien was pleased with the play of the team in the opening portion of the Stags’ schedule.
“That’s four games in seven days, which is very demanding for any team, let alone playing against good quality competition,” said O’Brien.
He credits the team’s hard work and preseason training for how well the team has held up so far during their tough opening schedule.
However, the team is not content with just being good; its members want to be the best in the MAAC.
The Stags have started off strong and after their win over Colgate, Fairfield has been ranked the No. 6 team in the Northeast region according to soccerbuzz.net and NSCAA.
The Stags next games will be in the UConn Classic where they will play Central Connecticut State University and the No. 23 team in the nation, UConn.
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