Four years ago Mike Troy `07 and Alex Cunliffe ’07 arrived at Fairfield as freshmen on the men’s soccer team. Although Troy came from Newtown, Conn., approximately 45 minutes away from Fairfield, and Cunliffe came from Lanchashire, England, all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, the two formed an immediate bond during pre-season workouts.
In addition to their friendly bond off the field, the two developed and even stronger bond on the field.
“Our good relationship started during our freshman year, living together and hanging out off the field, while also developing an on field relationship,” Troy said. “We decided to live together again sophomore year and have been great friends since we met.”
With Cunliffe’s great field vision and Troy’s size and scoring ability, the two instantly became impact players for the Stags. As seniors, Troy is the team captain and Cunliffe is the Stags’ leading scorer with five goals. Both are driving the Stags toward a MAAC championship and possibly into the NCAA Tournament.
So far this season Troy and Cunliffe have helped the Stags to a 4-2-1 record, including a tie against the University of Hartford last Wednesday and a major overtime win against the two-time Ivy League champion Dartmouth on Tuesday.
“We complement each other very well,” said Cunliffe. “Our styles of play are really suited for each other. Mike is a great player and very intelligent; we work well together.”
“I think that our friendship off the field really helps us on the field,” Troy added. “Alex is a very talented player, and we are both able to find each other when we are open.”
Cunliffe has 11 career goals and has moved into the top ten all-time scoring list. Troy had seven goals in 2003 and one in 2004. He has not scored since early in 2004 due to injuries and a shift to the defensive side of the field. Troy has spent time at both the offensive and defensive sides this season and may have a chance to move up on the leader board as well.
“Alex and Mike have been leaders throughout their four years on the team,” Head Coach Carl Rees said. “Both lead by example on the field through their hard work while commanding respect from both their coaches and peers off the field because of their strength of character.”
Freshman teammate Paul McQuade from Scotland agreed.
“Both are very talented players on the field and great guys off of it. Alex especially has been very good to me off the field,” McQuade said. “He knows what it is like to come all the way over here and as much as he would not want to admit it, he has been like a big brother to me.”
McQuade, a freshman starter, is also having an excellent season. He has three assists so far, which ties for second best in the MAAC. McQuade credits his achievement to the relationship he has already developed with the veteran Cunliffe.
“I think we link up well on the pitch more than anyone else, and we have a good understanding with each other when we play.”
“I would rather have Mike and Alex on my side than against me,” said McQuade , speaking for himself and his teammates.
Last Wednesday, in a 1-1 tie against the University of Hartford, in the first minute of the game, Cunliffe passed the ball to Troy, who completed the give-and-go by placing a return pass at the feet of Cunliffe, who put the shot just barely over the cross bar. Later the two would get together again and put a goal on the board, which represented the excellent communication the two players have developed over their three seasons together.
“I told him to draw the defender to the post. Sam Bailey passed me the ball, and I was able to get an open shot and slide the ball in,” Cunliffe said after the game.
Bailey, a junior, picked up his first assist of the season and the ninth of his career, putting him one away from moving into the top 10 on Fairfield’s all time career-assist list.
Bailey has three points this season and is tied for third on the team behind Cunliffe and junior Steve Desmond, who has five points.
Five hundred and thirty students attended the Stags’ game against Hartford. After the game Cunliffe and Troy thanked the fans for coming out. Later in the week, both agreed that it was one of the most memorable moments of their careers at Fairfield.
“Other than the first game ever played at Lessing Field, when I assisted Mike on the first goal on the field, Wednesday’s game against Hartford was most memorable of my career,” Cunliffe said. “The fans were unbelievable; it was the best crowd I’ve ever seen and I hope that we have more of the same the rest of this season.”
In Tuesday’s win over Dartmouth, the Stags played in front of an energetic and large crowd once again. Cunliffe scored his fifth goal of the season and Aldo Hope ’09 scored the game winning goal in the first overtime.
“It was really good to get the win.” Hope said after the game. “It will give us a lot of momentum as we head into the MAAC season.”
The team has an 11 game regular season unbeaten streak at Lessing Field, and Troy and Cunliffe both hope it continues.
“We are taking it one game at a time, but we definitely have the tools to go far this season,” said Troy. “The MAAC Championship is our main goal, especially since it is being played here at Lessing Field. I really think that we have the ability to go to the NCAA Championships and possibly go deep into them.”
“To experience that would really make our careers complete,” added Cunliffe.
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