Last season the women’s basketball team graduated four seniors, all of whom started or played significant minutes throughout their four-year careers. This season, the Stags are faced with replacing their four-year starting point guard, Megan Caskin, and four-year power forward, Baedu Lowenthal, along with key forwards Shireyll Moore and Lauren Groom.
With a less experienced roster this season, Fairfield was picked to finish sixth in the conference during MAAC Media Day. The Stags received 51 out of a possible 100 points. Marist was the unanimous pick to finish first as they return four of their starting five players from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, including two-time MAAC Player of the Year Rachele Fitz.
But, senior forward Stephanie Geehan was named to the Second Team Preseason All-MAAC Team. She along with fellow senior center Tara Flaherty will give the Stags a veteran frontcourt. Fairfield will also count on contributions from sophomores Taryn Johnson, Desiree Pina and Sarah Paulus, all of whom received significant playing time last season. Pina started in place of Sabra Wrice ‘08 last season and will headline a young backcourt for the Stags after her impressive freshman season.
The Stags face another grueling road schedule, traveling to George Mason, UMKC, Iowa State and Albany.
“We have compiled a non-conference schedule that will certainly provide us challenges and will help our young team develop,” said third-year head coach Joe Frager in a press release. “I believe that this schedule will help us prepare for the rigors of our conference schedule and hopefully enable us to be playing our best basketball as the season progresses.”
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