Nov. 5, 2006
Final Stats |
2006 Men's Soccer - MAAC Championship Photo Gallery 
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Goals and ambitions are often listed by coaches and student-athletes at the start of every season. Over the course of the 2006 season, Head Coach Carl Rees and his lads were able to achieve most everything on that list, including a winning season, national ranking, and capture a second straight Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular-season champs. On Sunday afternoon, the Stags men's soccer team was able to cross off two more items on the list - winning the 2006 MAAC tournament title and earning a berth to the NCAA tournament.
The NCAA tournament berth is the second under Coach Rees, as the Stags also captured the 1999 MAAC tournament title and went on to play Loyola-Chicago in a play-in game. The pairings for this year's NCAA tournament will be announced between 4 and 5 pm on ESPN News.
Fairfield faced Saint Peter's in the MAAC tournament final Sunday, the first time the two teams had met in the conference tourney. The game proved to be a well-played and well-executed contest for both teams. There was plenty of excitement during the match, including each team scoring a goal only to see it taken off the board due to offsides.
The Stags had the first prime opportunity in the first half in the 35th minute, which started with a strong Tom Clements throw-in to the middle of the box. Kerr McLeod controlled the throw-in, made a quick move to his right and released a shot from 10 yards that just cleared the cross bar to keep the game scoreless.
McLeod created another outstanding opportunity for the Stags, making a run down the right flank and into the box. Once inside, he sent a pass to the left post which found Sam Bailey alone for a brief moment. Before a Peacock defender could react, the junior unleashed a shot back to the right post that just skipped wide.
After just missing on several occasions, Fairfield finally broke through against the Saint Peter's defense. Once again, Clements played a part in the scoring opportunity by sending a free kick to the left corner. Alex Cunliffe found the room inside the box and drew a double-team about 25 yards from the near post. He sent a crisp pass to the feet of Mike Troy, who dribbled along the end line until he sent a shot on goal from 10 yards. The ball bounced off the Saint Peter's goalkeeper and into the corner of the net for the game's only goal.
Saint Peter's played tenaciously throughout the game, especially on the offensive end of the pitch. Juan Gaviria, the conference's most valuable player, applied pressure throughout the game by sending three shots on goal. But, Fairfield goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini was equal to the task each time.
The Peacocks tenacity almost paid off in the closing minute of the game. Marco Orias nearly tied the game when he ran down a cross in the middle of the box and sent a shot past Francini who was charging to cut down the angle. But Orais' shot sailed over the cross bar with 30 seconds remaining, and sealed Fairfield's championship victory.
Saint Peter's held a 12-8 advantage in shots, with Francini making three saves to secure his third straight shutout and his sixth shutout of the season.
Sam Bailey, Tom Skara, Troy, and Cunliffe earned a spot on the MAAC All-Tournament team with Cunliffe receiving the tournament most valuable player award.
Now, the Stags will focus on preparing for their next opponent when the pairings are announced on Monday. And hopefully, Coach Rees and his lads will cross off the next thing on their list - an NCAA tournament win.
