Aug. 25, 2006
While last year's 13-win season captured the eyes of the collegiate soccer world, Fairfield University fans witnessed what has become the norm for Head Coach Carl Rees and his lads. While impressive to the outside world, the fact that the team captured the 2005 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular-season championship, posted a 12-game unbeaten streak (11-0-1), and earned another national ranking was just another successful season under Coach Rees. In his 10 years at the helm, Rees has averaged 10 wins per season, and reached double figures in the win column five times.
But don't make the mistake of thinking the team's ongoing success will lead to any feeling of complacency. Rather, Rees and his team will use that success as incentive to keep the standard of excellence at its highest level as it prepares for the rigors of another challenging campaign.
In addition to another slate of MAAC games, the 2006 schedule includes match ups with teams from the Big East, Ivy League, and America East. Factor in the team opens up the season with back-to-back tournaments that include West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Cornell, and Hartwick, and you can quickly see that many challenges await the Stags.
Rees returns 16 players from last year's 13-4-3 team, including most a defense which placed fifth in the nation for goals against average (0.58 goals per game). Senior Mike Troy and junior Tom Skara will anchor the defense in 2006, all ranking among the most experienced players on the squad. Troy and Skara earned All-MAAC honors a year ago, the first appearance for both student-athletes.
The defense also boasts the talents of sophomore Tom Clements and junior Pat Kelly. Clements made his way into the starting lineup as a freshman. He secured MAAC All-Rookie honors in 2005, based upon his strong play in the back. Kelly offered his teammates a solid reserve last season, as he appeared in seven games. Jimmy Gaughan remains a fixture as a defender, picking up a career-high 14 appearances last season. With five experienced defenders on the roster, the Stags will continue to field one of the top defensive units in the nation.
The goalkeeper position has a pair of talented student-athletes that both garnered experience as reserves last season. Jon Paul Francini appeared in four games last season and did not allow any goals in more than 75 minutes of work. He made five saves in those games, and brings a career 1.000 save percentage into this year's action. Jesse Sutherland made his debut between the posts last year, seeing action in two contests which accounted for 15 minutes. Both players will battle for the position left vacant following All-MAAC goalkeeper Andrew Frankel's graduation.
The center of the field remains pretty much intact for the upcoming season, especially with senior Alex Cunliffe and sophomore Kerr McLeod back in uniform. Cunliffe, a former MAAC defensive player of the year and All-Region athlete, missed a portion of the 2005 season due to injury, but returned to the lineup by the end of the season. His impact was quickly felt as he tallied two goals and an assist in final three games of the season. His ability to create scoring opportunities, as well as finish offensive chances could make him one of the key components this year.
McLeod wasted little time in making an impact during the 2005 season. The midfielder simply earned a spot on the MAAC All-Rookie team, the All-MAAC squad, and captured the MAAC Rookie of the Year award. McLeod finished the season with a goal and three assists, which ties him with Cunliffe for third among top returning scorers.
Senior Mike Calabrese brings a great deal of experience to the pitch this year, beginning his fourth season with the team. His ability to run the field and apply pressure both offensively and defensively makes him a solid player in the middle of the field. Junior Steve Desmond and senior Robbie Gallina will also add depth to the midfield. Desmond appeared in a personal-best 16 games last season, experience that could help him challenge for more time in 2006. Gallina came off the bench in five games last season, giving him 20 appearances through his three seasons in a Stag uniform.
Junior Mike Vanesse and sophomore Mike Lentine are both impact players who could be in the mix for quality minutes in 2006. Vanesse worked his way into the lineup early last year, and stayed in the rotation for most of the season. He tallied an assist in 13 games a year ago, a number which could improve as he secures more playing time. Lentine was among the team's leading scorers as a freshman, registering a goal and three assists for five points over 17 appearances.
Fairfield appears solid up front with the return of junior Sam Bailey and sophomore Aldo Hope. Both players move the ball well up field, and offer lightning-quick strikes that helped them combine for 13 goals and five assists a year ago. Bailey is the team's top returning scorer with 19 points (seven goals, five assists) which includes three game-winning goals. Hope knocked in six goals during the campaign, two of which decided games.
Coach Rees has a strong group of newcomers coming to Fairfield for the 2006 campaign. Matt Cleveland will challenge for time at the goalkeeper position after posting 20 career shutouts at Shelton High School last season. As a senior, Cleveland registered 10 shutouts and owned a goals against average under 1.00. Charlie Grover did not move far from his high school roots when he decided to continue his soccer career at Fairfield. He spent four seasons as a defender at Fairfield Prep, where he helped the team advance to the SCC conference finals in 2004. He also showed his offensive prowess with eight goals and eight assists for 24 points in his senior year.
James Marino spent time both as a midfielder and forward during his tenure at East Hartford High School. His versatility to play both positions could help him earn playing time at the collegiate level. During his stay at East Hartford, Marino scored five goals and 10 assists for 27 points. Paul McQuade is the team's lone newcomer to come from overseas, traveling from Scotland. He was a member of the Fife Country Scottish Cup championship team, and was the team's top goal scorer and most valuable player.
David Piedrahito captured most major New York state soccer awards as a senior at White Plains High School, including the New York State player of the year award. He excelled both as a forward and as midfielder at White Plains, experience that could help him join the lineup in 2006. Taylor Rooke spent three seasons as a goalkeeper at Chestnut Hill Academy, tallying eight shutouts last year and 16 shutouts for his career. An All-Conference goalkeeper, Rooke has the necessary skills to be successful at the collegiate level.
Christian Uy was a starting forward at Kellenberg Memorial High School for four seasons, where he registered 25 goals and 15 assists as a senior. An All-League and All-State player, Uy has proven skills on the offensive side of the pitch which should make his transition to the collegiate game much smoother.
With seven newcomers and more than a dozen returning student-athletes, Coach Rees sets his attention on posting another winning season in 2006. With the talent on this year's roster, it should be business as usual for Rees and his lads.
