Sweet Sixteen

A 24-13 win on Senior Day against Siena did more than just honor the seniors. It gave Fairfield the MAAC regular season title as the Stags finished the season undefeated in the conference.

The win is also the Stags’ 16th in a row as the team’s record improved to 16-1 overall and 6-0 in conference.

This is the first winning season at Fairfield for the four seniors on the team: Katie von Hoffmann, Kara Ackerman, Mary Vallely and Caroline Madrak. Previously, their best season collectively was last year when the Stags went 8-10 overall. “Personally, I think it has been a lot more fun everyday on a consistent basis, even practices. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves,” said von Hoffmann.

The other seniors agreed that this team was much closer and enjoying themselves more on the field.

“We’re a lot closer,” said Vallely. “I think that’s made all the difference this year.”

Even their coach noticed the difference. “I just think that everyone is clicking and it’s not necessarily a couple people,” said Head Coach Beth Loffredo. “Everybody has been doing their part.”

The Stags depth and balance has helped lead them to new heights this season. Currently, the team has the third-best record in the country.

“This is the first time in our four years where we’ve had so much depth,” said Vallely. “Usually in the past we haven’t had so much, but someone is always stepping up. It is really made all the difference this year.”

Over the last week, the Stags hosted a series of games.

First, the Stags defeated Columbia, 10-9, on Wednesday. Then, the team looked equally impressive against last season’s MAAC champion LeMoyne, 17-13. Finally, the weekend concluded with a Senior Day win over Siena.

LeMoyne was most likely the biggest test of the season for the Stags since a season-opening loss to No. 14 Yale by one goal, 9-8.

LeMoyne was a member of the MAAC conference last season before switching affiliations this year and becoming an independent team. Other MAAC members amended the conference’s bylaws to exclude LeMoyne from participation due to the fact that they only have two teams, baseball and women’s lacrosse, competing in the conference. The victory over the Dolphins, who entered the game sporting an eight-game winning streak, gave Fairfield another quality win against a strong out-of-conference opponent.

“It’s definitely nice to be undisputed MAAC regular season champions,” Madrak added. Fairfield is led by its scoring offense, which is ranked fourth in the nation and freshman Kristen Coleman who is tied for first in the country with 61 goals and third in the country with 81 points, both Fairfield records for points in a season. The Stags defense is also ranked fourth in turnovers forced and 14th in ground balls per game.

“Caroline [Madrak] and I try to provide leadership on defense and concentrate on getting the ball back so we can score,” said Vallely.

Madrak added, “Just communication is key on the defensive end.”

Two Stags also won weekly awards for their play. Rebecca White ’09 was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week and Coleman was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week. Coleman has won a MAAC award each week of the season.

“They are really important to our team, not only because of their athletic abilities, but also because their field presence is just amazing,” said Loffredo said about the award-winners. “You always know where they are on the field and Rebecca does so much legwork in the midfield; she really makes things happen.”

Loffredo added, “Kristen, when she’s on defense, she comes up with a couple of good plays and then carries it to the attacking end. They both can come up with big plays on defense and carry it all the way down and settle it down and attack.”

Fairfield will play Iona Friday during the MAAC Tournament at Iona. If the Stags advance, they will face either Marist or Canisius on Sunday for the championship. “I think that their confidence from playing so well this season is definitely going to carry into the tournament,” said Loffredo. “I think they are really excited for it and they are definitely ready.”