Youth Movement Sweeps Stags by Storm

Youth Movement Sweeps Stags by Storm  “Experience,” responded Fairfield University Women’s Basketball coach Joe Frager when asked about any weaknesses his 2010-11 squad might have.  “When you graduate two post players that are now getting paid to play overseas, it’s a big hit,” he said.

The Stags, after all, graduated talented seniors Stephanie Geehan and Tara Flaherty from a team that earned their first berth in the MAAC Championship Game for the first time since 2001 a year ago.

Yet the future may not be as bleak as it seems.  Returning from that same team are Desiree Pina and Taryn Johnson, along with 2010 All-MAAC Rookie Selection Katelyn Linney.

Also returning is Sarah Paulus, who missed all but four games with a knee injury suffered against George Mason last year.

Pina is the leading returning scorer from last year, when she averaged 12.1 points per game.  “She brings some versatility to the team, with her ability to handle either of the guard positions, along with her scoring and her defensive prowess,” said Frager.

Another startling statistic is the 38.1 minutes per game that Pina averaged last season.  “Obviously we want to reduce that a little bit, but it will depend on who steps up during the season,” said Frager.

Taryn Johnson, who was named to the pre-season All-MAAC third team showed flashes of brilliance last year.  “I see her as a double-double threat for us this year!” Frager gushed about her potential.  Also seeing an abundance of playing time this year will be sophomore Katelyn Linney.

“Katelyn is a great three point shooter, and her defensive game has steadily improved throughout the preseason.”

“Right now, we’re not locked into a starting five for throughout the season.  We’re still looking for players to step up and contribute.”

With two starting spots open, don’t be surprised to see sophomore forward Laura Vetra, guard Sarah Paulus or senior Joelle Nawrocki see a lot of playing time this season.

With an influx of youth, Frager anticipates a different game plan than he’s used in previous years. “We are going to be more of a perimeter oriented team on offense, but we still have the option to go inside with [Taryn] Johnson.”

As for the defensive end, Frager stressed the importance of playing better team defense with the graduation of his veteran shot blockers Geehan and Flaherty.

With the season opener looming Friday night in Alumni Hall versus a rejuvenated Quinnipiac team, Frager acknowledged the challenges that the Stags will face both in and out of conference.

Quinnipiac comes to Fairfield reloaded after an injury plagued season, while Cornell handed the Stags a tough loss two years ago, and George Mason returns on the Stags’ schedule.

Rounding out a four game home stand to start the season are the Rams of Rhode Island, who come to town on November 22.

Marist, the unanimous preseason #1 in the MAAC always poses a threat.  “After Marist, I believe that the conference is wide open,” sang Frager.

With Fairfield coming in at a preseason ranking of #4 in the conference, the potential for a very competitive conference is imminent.

Iona brings their physical brand of basketball to town on January 8, while six days later the women travel down I-95 to Baltimore to face a very talented Loyola team.  Nonetheless, Fairfield is primed for a season full of challenges, and is ready to breathe life into a dormant Alumni Hall.  The goal is clear: Return to the MAAC Championship game.

But Frager warns, “We’ve got a tough test right out of the blocks against Quinnipiac.  We need our fans there with us from the get go on November 12.

We’re going to play our rear ends off for them.  [Alumni Hall] is a great place to play when it’s full.”   Playing all of their home games but four at Alumni Hall, it’s hard not to be excited for another year of Stags Basketball.