The Fairfield men’s soccer team has proved to be the dominant team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) so far this season.
With just four games remaining in the season, the Stags are now 5-0 in conference play. Despite a setback against non-conference opponent Harvard last Monday, the Stags are 9-3-1 and ranked 15th in the latest NCAA poll. The Stags bounced back from the tough double overtime loss to Harvard with wins over Manhattan (1-0) and St. Peter’s (2-1) in double overtime, this weekend on Friday and Sunday. Both games were away games, showing that the team can play well away from Lessing Field.
“While it wasn’t our best play of the season, we picked up two big wins under tough conditions,” said Head Coach Carl Rees. “On Friday, the field was in bad shape and on Sunday the wind affected our play.”
“We picked up two critical wins for six more points this weekend [in the MAAC standings] and I am pleased with the outcome,” Rees added.
While the Stags’ impressive unbeaten streak at home ended with the loss to Harvard, which also snapped Fairfield’s six-game winning streak overall, the team has not lost in its last 14 MAAC regular season games, going 13-0-1 since the end of the 2004 season.
The Stags faced tough competition from Manhattan and St. Peter’s this weekend, but were able to secure wins to gain six more points in the MAAC standings, expanding their lead ahead of second place Loyola by three points.
“We had to fight through tough field conditions at Manhattan and falling behind in the first half against St. Peter’s,” said senior captain Mike Troy, “but we put in two good performances for six points.”
Troy scored a goal at the end of the first half against St. Peter’s, to help lead a comeback after the Stags fell down 1-0 within the first two minutes of the game. Troy also scored a goal against Harvard and was rewarded with the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday, despite missing Friday’s game because of a back injury.
“Mike is a great player who really brings a lot of leadership to our team, on and off the field,” said Rees.
The Stags did not dominate either Manhattan or St. Peter’s, but they used their solid defense to lock down against the opposing teams and keep the scores low.
Junior J.P. Francini has a 0.89 goals against average and earned his second shutout of the season against Manhattan on Friday.
“Tom [Skara ’08] and Tom [Clements ’09] have been dynamite all year long in the heart of the defense, along with J.P, who has been huge for us all season in goal,” said Rees, “Troy can play any of the four back positions, so he is priceless.”
“Senior Jimmy Gaughan has stepped in very well and has been a big help for our defense as well,” added Rees.
Fairfield continues to receive strong play from the freshmen, especially forward Paul McQuade and midfielder Christian Uy. McQuade scored the lone goal in the win over Manhattan Friday night for his third goal of the season, and then assisted on Uy’s fourth goal of the year, in Sunday’s game against St. Peter’s. Uy’s goal came five minutes into the second overtime, giving him his third game-winning goal of the year.
“It feels good to be able to contribute,” said Uy. “I’ve had opportunities to score thanks to good passes from my teammates and have been able to convert on them.”
The Stags were faced with injuries to key players, including Alex Cunliffe ’07, Troy, and Clements, but have been able to overcome the injuries to win.
“We’ve known all season that one of our strengths is depth,” said Rees. “Jimmy, Mike Vanasse ’08, and Pat Kelly ’08 all stepped in to help us overcome the injuries.”
The Stags also received help from the returning Kerr McLeod, a sophomore who has been unable to play for the past seven months after injuring his knee. McLeod was the MAAC Rookie of the Year last season and hopes to contribute the rest of the season.
“It’s great to be back, especially after how much the guys have accomplished so far this season. I hope that I can help contribute the rest of the season,” said McLeod.
Fairfield returns home for two games this weekend, including a big game against Loyola, who is 4-1 in the MAAC. If Loyola wins the game, the two would be tied for first place. Friday night’s game will be followed by a bonfire for the fans.
Sunday afternoon’s game against Rider is Senior Day for the Stags and will be the last game for Troy, Cunliffe, Gaughan, Robbie Gallina, and Mike Calabrese.
Rees said that the team will miss the players off the field just as much as on the field.
“The thing I will miss most about this group of guys is their personalities,” Rees said. “They are all great guys, and while it is easier to replace players, it is a lot harder to replace the character that these guys all bring to the team.”
The entire team has appreciated the support from the Fairfield fans so far this season and Cunliffe hopes to see the fans out again this weekend.
“We were really happy to see the fans at the Harvard game,” said Cunliffe. “We hope for your continued support, especially this Friday against Loyola.”
The Stags play Loyola at 7 p.m. on Friday at Lessing Field and play Rider at 1 p.m. also at Lessing Field.
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