Nov. 2, 2006
Junior back Tom Skara earned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Defensive Player of the Year award, and was one of five Fairfield University men's soccer player to receive a berth to the All-MAAC team. The post-season teams were announced at the Trumbull Marriott as part of the MAAC Tournament awards dinner.
Skara anchored a defense that yielded just 16 goals in 18 games this season, and posted four shutouts. With his help, the Stags yielded more than one goal in a game just two times for the season. For his effort, Skara was also rewarded with a spot on the All-MAAC first team.
Senior midfielder Alex Cunliffe and junior goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini also garnered a first team selection. Cunliffe finished the regular season with a team-high eight goals and two assists for 18 points. He netted one game-winning goal and was a perfect two for two on penalty kicks during the year. Francini leads the MAAC in goals against average with a 0.81 goals against average. He posted 71 saves in 18 starts, and recorded an .826 save percentage. Francini collected four shutouts over the final 10 games of the regular season.
Tom Clements, Sam Bailey, and Mike Troy were on the All-MAAC second team. Clements earned the honor as a back after helping the Stags emerge as one of the top defenses in the conference. Troy became the third Fairfield back to capture post-season honors. He also ranked among the team's leading scorers with three goals for six total points. Bailey ranked second on the team with 12 total points, netting four goals and four assists in 18 games. All four of his goals represented game-winners, including the victory over Niagara University in the regular season finale.
Two freshmen were selected to the MAAC All-Rookie team this year, namely David Piedrahita and Christian Uy. Piedrahita tallied three assists this season, which placed third among his teammates. Uy is second on the team with five goals, translating into 10 total points.
The conference announced its annual All-Academic team as well, as Fairfield added seven players to the prestigious list. Seniors Mike Calabrese, Jimmy Gaughan, and Mike Troy comprised three of the berths, with juniors Pat Kelly and Steve Desmond and sophomores Mike Lentine and Jesse Sutherland picking up the academic distinction as well.
The men's soccer team's season continues this weekend as the Stags are the number one seed in this year's MAAC tournament. Fairfield will host fourth-seeded Loyola College on Thursday night at Lessing Field. Game time is 7 pm. Second-seeded Niagara and third-seeded Saint Peter's will play the other semi-final game at Lessing Field at 4 pm.
