Stags take two

Men’s head coach Ed Cooley has had to deal with a full range of experiences in his Fairfield tenure.

Now Cooley can add another item to his resume: expectations.

Fairfeld men’s and women’s basketball teams were both selected second overall in the preseason Metro Atlantic’ Athletic Conference (MAAC) coaches’ preseason poll, which were revealed Tuesday afternoon at MAAC Media Day at the ESPN Zone in Times Square.

While this marks the second season in a row in which head coach Joe Frager and the women’s team has been selected a top contender, a men’s high ranking is uncharted territory for Cooley.

‘A season ago, we had disappointing end to the season,’ Cooley said. ‘(This year) our goal is to be playing for all the marbles at the end of the day.’

Guard Jon Han ’09 was named a first-team preseason All-MAAC player.

Han was a choice to the All-MAAC team a season ago at the conclusion of the conference tournament. He led the conference with 6.2 assists per game.

‘Jon, hands down, is one of the best point guards in the east coast in terms of how he handles the game,’ Cooley said.

Junior forward Anthony Johnson was named to the conference’ second-team roster.

As for the women’s team, head coach’ Joe Frager knows that the Stags must rely on an experienced frontcourt to compensate for the loss of leading scorer Sabra Wrice.

One of those fowards, Baendu Lowenthal ’09, was also a first-team All-MAAC selection.

Her scoring compliment in the paint, junior forward Stephanie Geehan, was also tabbed to the conference’s third team group.

‘(Baendu) and Stephanie Guillen’ both play a huge part in our success. They are two very versatile players,’ Frager said.

‘We really need to have an inside-outside presence again (this season),’ Frager added.