Four years ago, women’s head soccer coach Jim O’Brien brought in his first recruiting class. On Sunday, the three remaining recruits were honored for their playing careers.
‘These are girls that came here when the new coaching staff started here,’ said O’Brien. ‘They bought into us and our plan to establish us as a legitimate Division I program. They made a lot of sacrifices and stood the test of time.’
Caroline Downey, Robyn Decker and Ahna Johnson all started and played significant minutes their freshmen year. They all helped O’Brien build the program and establish a winning culture at Fairfield, which they continued to the end with a 3-1 win over Manhattan.
‘We were undefeated at home this year and we wanted to keep that streak alive,’ said Downey. ‘Ahna put in two goals and we were able to end on a win.’
Currently, Johnson leads the team in nearly every offensive statistical category. In addition to totaling a team-high twelve goals, the senior captain also leads the team in points scored (28), shots on goal (31), and shooting percentage (.231).
Johnson’s totals even rival the best in the conference. At season’s end, she was fourth overall in points per game and goals per game. She also finished third in goals.
Johnson was a two-time First Team All-MAAC selection. Decker was also selected last season. Johnson was a finalist in the Lowe’s Senior Class Award and also named to the CoSida Academic All-District First Team. All three are also among the program’s leaders for games played.
‘Soccer was a huge part of my four years here,’ said Downey. ‘It’s a huge commitment and a great experience. It’s a great program and we’re proud.’
Their first season, all three were named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team and helped the Stags become the first five-seed to win the MAAC Tournament and earn a NCAA Tournament berth.
They remained to become key cogs on each successive team and for their efforts were named team captains for this season. They helped guide Fairfield to a 14-4-2 overall record and a 7-2 record in the MAAC, earning the second seed in the tournament. They are a combined 44-25-13 overall and 22-8-6 in the MAAC for their careers.
‘They were my first recruits,’ said O’Brien. ‘It’s sad to see them go. They helped establish the program for the future.’
O’Brien felt that a playoff clinching victory was an appropriate ending for his first class as they near the finish of their collegiate career.
‘(Our) goal was for an unbeaten record on Lessing Field,” O’Brien said.’ ‘For the seniors, who have meant so much to this program, a win in their final home game is fitting.’
Downey said that it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that she is playing her last season.
‘It’s a little scary,’ said Downey. ‘Four years goes by so fast. It’s definitely slowly sinking in, but hopefully we’ll have a few more games.’
But before the official end of their careers, the Stags get at least one more game against No. 3 seed Siena on Friday. The Saints finished 13-2-3 overall and 6-2-1 in the MAAC.
The Stags lost 1-0 to the Saints at Siena on Oct. 19.
A victory in that game would bring the Stags to a place the team has not been since
O’Brien was a first year coach and Downey, Johnson, and Decker were freshmen: the MAAC tournmaent finals.
‘We have a strong team,’ said Downey. ‘We have a week to prepare and we’re just going to show up and play our best, that’s all we can do. Hopefully we can get the result we want.’
O’Brien felt that the team has improved since the Stags lost to Siena.
‘We’ve definitely improved on creating more chances and finishing,’ said O’Brien. ‘That was our problem a few weeks ago when we played Siena.
‘On Friday, hopefully we’ll create more chances,’ he added.
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