The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team begins its 2008 season on Wednesday at Yale, ranked #13 in the nation in the newest poll.  Beth Loffredo begins her first season as the Stags head coach, and will lead the Stags, chosen third in the preseason Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Lacrosse League coaches poll.

Here is a look at the Stags as the season gets under way.  

2008 Media Guide 

As the 2008 season begins the Fairfield University women's lacrosse team finds itself under the direction of a new head coach for the first time since 2003, as former Stag standout Beth Loffredo takes over the reigns.  Loffredo has a strong returning group of players, along with a talented group of newcomers, on the roster as she begins her first campaign.

“I am excited about the group of student-athletes that we have on our roster for the 2008 season,” Loffredo said.  “They are a hard-working bunch that wants to succeed, and I think we have the talent to make that happen.”

The Stags will need to replace their top two scorers from a 2007 squad that went 8-10 and advanced to the MAAC Tournament semifinal, before falling to Marist.  To help cushion that blow, Loffredo welcomes back the reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Mary Vallely, and First Team All-MAAC, Lauren Chatnik. With seven of the team's top-10 scorers from a year ago returning to the field this spring, the Stags offense should be in good hands.

“Our success this season will come from how well we play as a team, in every aspect of the game,” Loffredo said. “With a strong group returning on both ends of the fields, and a talented class of newcomers, I am excited about the possibilities that this year holds for our program.”

ATTACK

Up front the Stags have a veteran and tested group that includes 2006 MAAC Rookie of the Year Abbey Goodwin, now a junior.  A good leader on the field, Goodwin is also a versatile offensive threat, who has recorded 60 goals in her two-year career.

“We have several players that have proven the ability to find the back of the net,” Loffredo says.  “I am looking forward to seeing this group progress throughout the year, and give us the chance to put up some numbers.”

Junior Kim Fuchs also continues to develop into an offensive power for the Stags.  Last season she netted seven goals, while dishing out a pair of assists.  Her leadership and continued offensive output will be a key to the team's success this spring

A pair of sophomore will also be counted on to continue to improve and take on more of a role in the offensive end of the field.  Erin Rigby is the Stags top returning scorer from a season ago, netting 24 goals and nine assists in her rookie campaign.  Nina Tedeschi is a creator on the offensive end, but the Stags would like to see her produce more goals this season.  Her brains and speed are great assets and makes her tough to defend.  Tedeschi dished out 10 assists as a rookie, as well as netting five goals.

Sophomore Kate Reardon and newcomer Katie MacKay will also contend for time in the Stags attack unit, and provide additional options to the coaching staff.  Reardon has shown good 1 v. 1 moves during her Fairfield career, and is expected to see more time this season.  MacKay is speedy player who makes great offensive moves and has shown that she is a sponge when it comes to being coached.  

MIDFIELD

The Stags midfield will be solid again this season, as Loffredo has a mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers.  Senior Katie von Hoffmann is the lynchpin of the midfield and has been for a number of years.  She finished her junior season as the team leader in ground balls, with 52, and was third with 24 draw controls.  An asset on both ends of the field, von Hoffmann finished with 14 caused turnovers, as well as eight points, including seven goals.

“Our midfield is perhaps our most experienced group,” says Loffredo, “and I expect them to provide a lift for us on both ends of the field.  Competition for time in the midfield will be fierce this year and I think that will benefit the entire team.”

A duo of juniors, Kylee Martin and Rebecca White, now with two full seasons under their belt, will be counted on to provide the teeth of the midfield. Martin will once again take most of the draws for the Stags, a role she flourished in as a sophomore.  The Stags won 224 draws last year, and Martin was responsible for a large portion of those, controlling 17 herself.  She also blossomed into an offensive asset a season ago, touching net 24 times, with six assists, to finish fifth on the team with 30 points.  
White also enjoyed a strong sophomore season that saw her become an all-around threat for the Stags.  On the offensive end she netted 17 goals and recorded seven assists, and has shown a knack for sparking the Stags attack.  White also excelled on the defensive side of the ball, causing 17 turnovers, second on the team, and picking up 32 ground balls.

Sophomore Kelly Barnes, as well as newcomers Kristen Coleman and Brittany Bare, are expected to see substantial time in the midfield this spring.  Barnes played 18 games as a defender for the Stags a year ago, where she caused 13 turnovers.  Her speed and footwork make her a valuable weapon in transition, and will also be looked at to contribute goals this season.

Coleman is another of the Stags speedy freshmen class, who has shown that she has a knack for finding the back of the net.  A team player, Coleman will also be a commodity in transition.  Bare demonstrated excellent stick skills in the fall and showed the ability to score.  Another speedy addition, Bare will be looked at to help set up the attack and keep the offense running smoothly.

Another of the juniors, Cristin Lucena, gives Loffredo options in the midfield and on the attack. She gives the Stags a strong transition player, whose versatility and game smarts makes her a force to be reckoned with.  

Sophomores Amy Kelleher and Renee L'Heureux will also provide options for Loffredo in the midfield in the spring.  Kelleher played in 15 games last season, with nine starts, and contributed 24 ground balls, 12 caused turnovers and three assists.  L'Heureux missed the 2007 season with a knee injury and as she continues her rehab will be a player that Loffredo can use anywhere on the field.

DEFENSE

The backbone of the Stags defensive unit is 2007 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Mary Vallely.  The senior was 10th in the nation a year ago in caused turnovers, leading the league with 37. Vallely is an aggressive leader on the field, especially when it comes to corralling loose balls, picking up a team-best 52 a season ago.  She is an offensive threat as well, netting 11 goals as a junior.
“Our defensive group received a good amount of recognition last season, but I don't expect them to sit back on that attention,” Loffredo said.  “Our success will rely heavily on this group performing as well as I know that they can, and keeping us in games.”

Vallely will not be alone in the back as senior Caroline Madrak, junior Alyssa Vecchione and sophomore Bridget Lane will also bring their experiences to the defensive effort.  Madrak reads the opponents offense well and is one of the Stags leaders in interceptions each season, last year being credited with nine caused turnovers and 33 ground balls.  Vecchione is a hard worker and vocal leader, that sees the field well, especially in transition.  Lane is a speedy defender, who with a full-year of college lacrosse on her resume, is ready to step into the forefront

Kara Ackerman returns for her senior season as a member of the defensive unit.  A true program player her work ethic makes her a leader for the Stags.  Rookies Jackie Hirschbeck and Brigid McEntee are also options for Loffredo on the defensive end.  Hirschbeck is a speedster who will benefit from playing every day against other collegiate players.  McEntee is a talented player that is still learning the game, and will only improve as she gets collegiate experience.

GOALKEEPER

The Stags are set in the crease, with the return of First Team All-MAAC keeper Lauren Chatnik.  She played nearly 1,036 minutes during the year, making 172 saves.  In league play she was the top keeper, with a .523 save percentage, making 11.29 saves per game.

“I have a lot of confidence in Lauren's ability to backstop our defensive effort,” Loffredo said.  “She really matured last season and I look forward to her continued development this spring.”

SCHEDULE

The Stags will play a competitive 17 game schedule in 2008, highlighted by six games with Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Lacrosse League foes, and a trip to California.  The campaign beings with three straight road games, though the first two games, both in the final week of February, will not require the Stags to leave the state; playing at Yale and Sacred Heart.

The Stags will then travel to the West Coast and take on St. Mary's and its head coach, former Stags standout Lauren Uhr, to begin the month of March.  Fairfield returns back to the East Coast a week later for its home opener, against Boston College, before heading out on the road to take on Mount St. Mary's.  Fairfield plays its second home game of the year on March 19, and a week later plays at Wagner.  The Stags will play their third in-state contest on April 2, traveling to Storrs, Conn., to take on Connecticut.  Fairfield will play at Holy Cross on April 9 and wrap-up the non-conference portion of the schedule with home games against Columbia and LeMoyne

Fairfield begins MAAC play at Marist on March 29, a team they split a pair of meetings with in 2007.    Conference play resumes on April 6 when Iona visits the Fairfield campus.  The Stags play just two road conference games, taking on Niagara on April 11 and Canisius, April 13, in Western New York.  Fairfield wraps up league play at home in the season finale, April 20.

The top four regular season teams qualify for the MAAC Tournament, to be played April 25-27 at Iona College.  The tournament champion earns a spot in the NCAA Play-in, with a chance to advance to the NCAA Tournament.