The Fairfield University women's soccer team kicks off its 2007 campaign this weekend at the DU Invitational in Denver, Colo.  The Stags will take on Air Force Friday at 4:15 eastern, and then play Colorado, a 2006 NCAA Sweet 16 team, on Sunday at 1 p.m. eastern.

"The team is looking forward to playing against outside competition," O'Brien said Thursday as the team waited for its flight to Colorado.  "We have had a very long and very demanding, challenging and rewarding preseason.  The team is in great physical condition and is ready to play two high quality opponents in Air Force and Colorado."

Third year head coach Jim O'Brien has a veteran and talented group that returns from a year ago, including the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the MAAC Rookie of the Year, and four All-MAAC First Team selections.  Add to that a strong rookie class, ranked among the top classes in New England, and the pieces are in place for the Stags to make a run at the program's seventh MAAC Tournament crown and fifth NCAA Tournament appearance.

"We have a good blend of experienced players with some very talented newcomers," said O'Brien.  We have gelled well together in our numerous intrasquad games, and are excited to see how that translate to the field on Friday against Air Force."

The Stags will look to classmates Casey Frobey and Chrissie Sidie to provide offensive punch from their forward positions.  Frobey was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2006, scoring 12 goals, the third most in a single-season in program history.  O'Brien expects her to continue to adapt to the collegiate game, and become more of a threat, as she learns to finish more of her scoring opportunities.

Sidie was voted to the All-MAAC Rookie Team in 2006 after netting a pair of goals and dishing out four assists for the Stags.  She gained valuable experience in playing all 20 games as a rookie, including starting nine contests.  Sidie plays aggressively in the attack portion of the field and possesses a dangerous long distance shot.

O'Brien also has senior Amanda Vargo, a player who can play minutes up front or in the midfield.  She has seen action in 58 games in her first three seasons, and can provide the Stags a veteran presence off of the bench.  Vargo, who has three goals and four assists in her career, has started 36 games, making her a valuable commodity if needed in a starting role.

Rookie Nicole Cavallaro comes to Fairfield highly-touted, having earned a top-150 national ranking from SoccerBuzz in the 2007 recruiting class.    A skillful player and a crafty offensive threat, O'Brien expects that she will compete for a starting spot up front.

Also in the mix up front are returning players Stephanie Ambrose and Jill Eichler.  Ambrose, a sophomore, played in 10 games as a rookie, and can be counted on for time up front or in the midfield when needed.  Eichler has played in six games during her career and gives O'Brien an additional offensive option.

Newcomer Casey Mahon is a late addition to the Stags forwards.  She brings additional speed to the lineup, and can provide depth in the midfield as well.

A veteran corps of talented players makes the Fairfield midfield a force to be reckoned with this season.  With additional depth up front and in the back, O'Brien will be able to play veterans in more natural positions than in the past two campaigns.

Janna Breitenwischer, a team captain this fall, is one of the Stags talented and versatile athletes.  She is slated to play wide midfield this season, making her a weapon on the offensive end, as well as being able to contribute to the Stags defensive effort. 

Senior Alex Caram is slotted to fill an offensive midfield role, alongside junior Ahna Johnson.  In their two seasons together the duo has tallied 57 points and netted five game-winning goals.  Caram, who may graduate as one of the best all-round players in the program's history, had five goals and six assists in 2006, earning All-MAAC First Team accolades.  Johnson will be asked to use her mobility to bolster the Stags' defense and contain the opponent's transition offense.  A First-Team All-MAAC selection in 2006, Johnson netted four goals and had four assists, and is expected to continue to be an offensive threat.

Slated into a defensive midfield role for the coming season is junior Robyn Decker.  A member of the 2005 All-MAAC Rookie Team, Decker has a knack for winning the ball in tight situations.  A hard worker, Decker, who has played in 40 games, with 38 starts, is a solid presence in the midfield.

Added to the mix this season in the midfield will be sophomore Stephanie Heyn.  She trained with the program last year, but did not see game action as she rehabbed a knee injury.  An offensive presence on the field, O'Brien will look for Heyn to provide additional depth in the midfield, as well as up front, if the need arises. 

Once again the defensive unit should be strong for the Stags, despite losing Betsy Nyman, who tied the school record for career starts, with 77 over her four-year career. 

The well is far from empty however, with senior MT Church returning for her final season, and several other veteran defenders.  Church has played in 52 games, with 45 starts, and has contributed offensively as well, with eight career points and two game-winning goals.  A First-Team All-MAAC selection in 2006, Church helped the Stags hold opponents to just 0.91 goals per game average.

Also returning are junior Caroline Downey and sophomore Adrienne Boyer, both of whom saw considerable action last season.  Downey, an All-MAAC Rookie selection in 2005, played in 17 games, with 12 starts, as a sophomore, and has now started 20 games in her career.  Over her two seasons, Downey has played a role in 14 shutouts.  Boyer earned All-MAAC Rookie Team honors in the fall, playing in 19 games, with 12 starts.

The defensive unit finds additional depth in the return of junior Jen DeBrincat, and sophomores Whitney Bernabei and Kate Daley. DeBrincat, a true team player, is a reliable option in the back and midfield.  Bernabei brings a hard-nosed style of play and will compete for a starting spot in the center back.  Daley has developed over her first season, getting stronger and faster, and it showed with an excellent spring season performance.

Several newcomers will compete for the final starting spot in the back, as well as provide O'Brien with a talented reserve pool. Laura Downey, Becca Rostowski, and Kelly Steele will give the Stags ample options in the back as well.  Downey, an excellent defender and tough as nails, can play anywhere in the back.  Rostowski will compete for time with the defensive unit, but her athleticism and speed make her a viable option in the midfield as well.  Steele is a versatile player, with a high-level playing background.  Most likely destined to play in the back she also gives O'Brien an added offensive threat.

The last line of defense will once again lay in the capable hands of Brett Maron, who enters her senior season.  In addition to earning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, she became the first Stag since 1999 to earn NSCAA Third Team All-Northeast Region honors.  Maron enters the season third in Fairfield history with 17 shutouts and 271 saves, and fourth with 23 wins.

Bridget Nerich is a valuable option in goal as well, returning for her sophomore season.  She got her feet wet in 2006, with a two-save, 20-minute effort in the Stags' shutout victory over Saint Peter's.  Caitlin Savoy will give Fairfield a third option in net, as she steps foot onto campus for her rookie season.  A late addition to the recruiting class she will provide depth and competition to the keepers.

Fairfield will play at Seton Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 5 before opening the home portion of the schedule Friday, Sept. 7 against Colgate, under the lights at 7 p.m. on Lessing Field.