With finals approaching quickly and the semester coming to an end, Fairfield University Athletics can celebrate a successful fall for a number of sports. Whether it was overall team success or individual student-athlete honors, there were a number of noteworthy achievements to remember and appreciate.

Although the Men’s Soccer team struggled in the early part of their schedule, the squad roared back to gain national attention. After winning the MAAC championship and riding a 13-game winning streak, the Stags had an NCAA Tournament appearance in what was a tough loss to Brown. Fairfield finished the season with an overall record of 12-5, while earning multiple post-season honors. Head coach Carl Rees won the MAAC Coach of the Year award, while goaltender Michael O’Keefe earned the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award and Jordan Ayries was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year. A total of seven Stags were named to All-MAAC First and Second Teams in what was an extremely successful year for the program.

The Women’s Soccer team reached the MAAC Championship Tournament game, but fell to Marist in what was a hard-fought game that went into penalty kicks. Senior goalkeeper Kelly Boudreau was a dominant presence in the net for the Stags as she was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award. A total of seven Stags earned All-MAAC accolades this season while Fairfield also had 12 selections named to the MAAC All-Academic Team.

The Fairfield Stag volleyball team had a strong season finishing with an overall record of 20-10, winning 16 of their 18 MAAC contests despite losing a close match against Niagara in the MAAC Championship Tournament game. Head coach Alija Pittenger was named the Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year, while Rachel Romansky earned the MAAC Setter of the Year award and Caitlin Stapleton was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year.

Fairfield’s field hockey team had two members, senior Marit Westenberg and freshman Felicitas Heinen, who earned All-America East Honors. Westenberg earned a spot on the NFHC Senior team, while Heinen was selected to both the All-Conference Second team and the All-Rookie squad. The Stags ended their season with a 9-8 record, nearly beating an 18th ranked BU team in their last contest.

The Fairfield University Men’s Cross Country team wrapped up their 2011 campaign with a third place showing in the University Race of the ICA4 Championship. The Women’s team also finished off the season in a strong manner, placing 12th in the ECAC University race.

Senior Michelle Yoshida and freshman Tyler Conley had some strong performances for the Women’s and Men’s Swimming/Diving teams. Yoshida broke her own school record in the 200-yard backstroke event against Central Connecticut State, while Conley also broke personal records set as only a freshman.

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