Siena 54 Fairfield 46

The Fairfield University women's basketball team (10-4, 3-1 MAAC) ended their six game winning streak losing to the Siena Saints (6,8 4-0 MAAC) on the road. Click for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-The Stag's six game winning streak came to an end, while the Saints improved theirs to five straight.

-The Stags did not got many breaks in this game and Joe Frager said they had "two to three mental lapses" on defense in the first half and the team has not played in a game like this. He admitted that the squad made some silly mistake and were "panicky"

-Brittany MacFarlane was the lone standout and she recorded a double-double including a career high 13 rebounds.

-Desiree Pina shot 2-11 from the floor and 0-3 from behind the arc. Katelyn Linney was 4-16 and 3-14 from three while Joelle Nawrocki was 1-4 from long distance. The team total was 6-29 from three.

I agree with Frager, this was really one of the first times that the team played in a game that was not a blow out. They had to learn how to control the ball in a way that they were able to get an open shot. The team did not take advantage of their offense as it seemed everybody had an off day. The game would have been out of control if MacFarlane did not step up when Taryn Johnson was on the bench with foul trouble. Siena does deserve credit as they kept their composure and actually made their free throws.

Player of the Game: Brittany MacFarlane really showed something today.

Up Next: The Stags travel to Loyola on 1/14 at 4:30.

Women's Soccer Looking to Clinch MAAC Spot

The Fairfield University women's soccer team is looking to clinch one of the top four spots to qualify for the MAAC tournament. The Stags are currently in third place with 10 points (3-1-1). There is a 3 way tie for fourth place with Canisius, Niagara, and Loyola all deadlocked at 9 points. Fairfield will have 4 games remaining in their regular season. They control their own destiny to clinch a tournament berth. If they win 3 of their final 4 games then they are automatically in. They can also clinch if they go 2-0-2. If they sweep and win all four games then they will clinch the MAAC regular season crown.

It is probably easier said then done as their final four games are all against teams in the race. Canisius and Niagara will travel to Fairfield this weekend. Both teams are tied in fourth with 9 points. Next week the soccer team will wrap up the regular season as they travel to Marist and Siena. Both teams are numbers 1 and 2 respectfully in the MAAC. Siena was the last unbeaten and untied team in the nation and once stood with a #25 ranking.

The only loss the team has in the conference was against Loyola, the only other team in the playoff hunt. The Greyhounds are the only team out of the Championship hopefuls that the Stags have faced.

It is sure going to be an exciting weekend. If they can sweep the series they will be in much better shape but this is a HUGH weekend for them. The downside is that they end the year with four tough opponents. Let's see if they can do it.

Canisius College Friday 7 p.m
Niagara University Sunday 1 p.m

Both games this weekend will be available for viewing on-line through the Stags partnership with Stretch Internet. On Sunday afternoon, Ivey Speight will be providing play-by-play commentary on the broadcast. As always, livestats are available for both games.

WVOF Greg Nero Interview

WVOF had the chance to talk with Greg Nero and this is what he had to say about his status, sickness, and the upcoming season:

Q: First and foremost, how are you feeling so far?
A: Pretty good I'm just happy to be back. I'm trying to get things going on all cylinders again. Mentally and physically, I'm not there yet but I'm very optimistic and I hope to contribute alot to the team this year.

Q: How hard is it to transition back into the college game?
A: It's tough. I mean physically it's alot [with] practice getting in shape. It's a pretty hard schedule to follow when you haven't done it in a couple of years and I'm still feeling kinda on edge about whether I can pull it yet off this year. But my performances have been going up each week so we're all pretty optimistic about how I will be doing this year.

Q: How did you feel about watching the team go all the way to the MAAC championship last year?
A: I was excited to see them do it because I thought they had more talent than Siena in the MAAC championship game and they could've had them really. I was excited to watch the new guards, Derek Needham and Colin Nickerson. I thought they looked really good. I thought they have a lot more potential to develop. I am also excited about the new freshmen we have coming in this year. I think we can do something special this year.

Q: Is there any one game you're looking forward to in particular?
A: I'm looking forward to playing against Siena because I want to give my best shot to them. The last two years I felt like I haven't been able to give them my best shot. I want to redeem myself. So, I'm looking forward to the first time we play Siena, especially at the Times Union Center. I want to beat them there at home.

Q: Can you make a pitch for the Fairfield students to attend the basketball games?
A: Come to our games. We're picked pre-season number one this year or we should be. We got a full stacked lineup and it's going to be fun. It's going to be exciting. So come on it's gonna be a good time at Alumni Hall or Harbor Yard.

Q: You're probably going to be preseason number one. Is there any added pressure on the team?
A: There's always pressure every year, particularly this year. We have a lot of expectations probably for our team but we set our own expectations. We don't really worry about what the media or the fans want us to do. We already have high expectations for ourselves and we want to achieve our goals. We want to be the top team come the conference tournament in March.

Ronald Moore and Kenny Hasbrouck Plead Guilty to DUI

Former Siena Saints Kenny Hasbrouck and Ronald Moore have pleaded guilty to DUI that had taken place earlier this year. According to sources, both plead guilty to reduced charges on Monday. Hasbrouck, who was part of the Miami Heat last season, plead guilty to one count of DUI, which is a misdemeanor. Ronald Moore, who led the nation in assists in 2009 and is the all-time
Saints leader in assists, pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired and facilitating unlicensed operation of a vehicle.

Both paid fines of $900 and they have to take instructional classes before they can drive again.

Fairfield Selected Number One in Four Preseason Polls

The Fairfield University Men's basketball team has been selected to win the MAAC in four different preseason media polls. According to the Bleacher Report, the Stags will finish first in front of the Sienna Saints, the Iona Gails, and the Saint Peter Peacocks respectfully.

However, the Bleacher Report states that the Stags top recruit, Majok Majok, will be an impact player. As you all know, Majok will no longer be a Stag in the upcoming season. The report also states that the only key loss to Fairfield is former center Anthony Johnson. They fail to mention the loss of MAAC sixth man of the year, Mike Evanovich. This former fifth year senior was a deadly threat at the three point line and made many clutch shots for Coach Cooley, most notably the buzzer beating shot to complete a twenty-seven point comeback against George Mason.

It's also interesting that they picked the Saints to finish second. The Sienna loses three of their big four from their last year, including their head coach, Fran McCaffrey who went to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Also, with the injury to Clarence Jackson can the Saints utilize all of their returning players. In order for the Saints to be successful, Jackson will need to have a breakout season.

NBA Suspends Kenny Hasbrouck

According to Siena Saints Hoop, the NBA has suspended the former Siena grad for two games without pay for pleading guilty for DUI

Siena's Clarence Jackson suffers broken foot

For the complete story click here.

Siena's Clarence Jackson has suffered a broken foot and is wearing a walking boot. The injury has sidlined him for the last few weeks but doesn't expect to impact him in the upcoming year.

He is scheduled to have x-rays on Thursday. "I'm just fortunate that it happened now," the Saint's senior said, "It's not the best way to have your summer but it happens. It's part of basketball.

This is shocking news but does not look like it will impact the MAAC this year. Siena will be highly dependent on the play of Ryan Rossiter and Clarence Jackson this year. I hope he is ok and this heals quickly.