Women: #2 in Defense

The Fairfield University women's basketball team, have improved to a number 2 ranking in the national scoring defense category, according to the updated stats. The only team that ranks higher than the Stags are West Virginia, and Fairfield is nearly 1 point better than UCONN. The closest other MAAC team is Manhattan who comes into the week at number 6. Fairfield is also in the top 25 in 3 point shooting defense at number 22.

With only the MAAC left to play, I would not be surprised if the Stags stay in the top 10 or even in the top 5 by the end of the year.

They do have to play Marist twice which should raise that average, and the loss to Siena might have put the Stags back down to Earth. They just blew out an Iona team who made the WNIT three out of the last four years and they have been winning with ease. The Siena game was needed to show the team that they did come into the year at number four and they are still not all the way there.

Joe Frager is known for his defense. Everywhere he has been, his top priority has always been his defense, even when he won a national title with Southern Connecticut, a place where he also had the best defense in the country. If anyone can establish a defensive presence for Fairfield, it's going to be him.

Pina is Heating Up

Desiree Pina has scored 67 of her 99 points in the last five games, raising her per game average from 5.3 a game to 9.0 a game. Over the last five outings, in which she is averaging 13.4 points per game, Pina has scored in double figures four times. She scored a career-high 24 points against St. Francis (NY), with a 7-14 effort from the field.

She is coming off a day where she struggled from the floor but was 6-9 at the line on Sunday, with her last free throw being the 100th make of her career

She has scored in double figures in each of the last three games and four of the last five, averaging 13.4 points per game in the stretch.

Pina has raised her season average to 9.0 PPG and is now shooting .257 from the floor while nearly doubling her 3 point percentage while shooting .156.

It will take a long time for her numbers to approach where we all thought that she would be when the season ends. However, it is no surprise that while she has been heating up the Stags are on a four game winning streak.

Not on the Bench Anymore

Three years ago she sat on the bench only emerging on the court for 20 games and 56 minutes of play. Combine that with her sophomore total of 37 and she saw 97 total minutes of action. In that limited time she managed to score 6 total field goals and her two season box score read 18 points. Who would have thought that 10 games into her senior season she would have attained 100 baskets and have amassed 258 career tallies?

 

When Joelle Nawrocki walked on to the Fairfield campus she immediately found herself behind the shadows of the players who have already been cornerstone of the team. "Her first couple of years here, especially her first two years we had both Lauren Groom and we had Shireyll Moore here, two players very capable of playing the three spot so she was kind of buried," head coach Joe Frager said.

 

After those two athletes graduated, it became the time that she had been waiting for. It was finally her chance to shine and show that she was able to play and to prove herself in her junior season. The opening game of that 2009-2010 campaign featured several career highs as she played in a then personal best 20 minutes. She recorded 3 rebounds which was as many as she had in the entire 2008 season and one board shy of her 2007 mark. She also swatted her first career block and swiped her third steal. Those 20 minutes almost doubled her career totals in every statistic.

 

By the time the team played their fifth game she had set personal bests in every single offensive and defensive category. Then came December 3^rd. The squad competed in their second home game of the young season and their first in the Arena at Harbor Yard. It also became the first time that she would hear her name resonating throughout the venue in the starting lineup. In that contest she reached career greats in points (15), field goals (6), three point field goals(3), while logging a personal best 39 minutes. That is more time than she saw in the entire previous year! In fact, during the first six games of the 2009 schedule, she almost doubled the amount of minutes she had in her entire career. "The first two years were difficult not playing a lot but over the past two years I've really done all that I can to contribute in every way I can and it's been really good," Nawrocki said.

 

That start seemed to be the one that turned her Fairfield career around. She would follow with five double-digit scoring games, 100 rebounds and 60 assists. Now in her final season wearing the Fairfield uniform, she is counted upon to be an even more impactful player than last year's breakout season, "last year we started her at times but we found out that we thought our best lineup was starting three post players,"F rager said. She has found herself to be a constant part of the opening lineup becoming a starter in all 10 games and has been the team leader in three separate contests. She also paces the squad in field goal percentage and three point accuracy.

 

Even though her 100 career field goal against Albany was a little milestone and one that is hardly even noticed, it shows how far she has come from her first two seasons. Her head coach said, "The patience that she showed and the commitment to our team has really shown through this year and Joelle has done a great job for us defensively and has made some timely baskets as well."

Fairfield has Best Defensive Game

The Fairfield University women's basketball team entered Wednesday's contest against the Albany Great Danes as the eighth best defensive team in the entire nation. The squad only had surrendered 50.2 points per game and had limited their foes to shoot only 35 percent. They would 'protect' those rankings as the miniscule numbers would decrease even smaller as they held the America East team to a program record 26 points while shooting a minute 16 percent from the floor. Statistically it was the best defensive effort in the 30 year history of Fairfield women's basketball. "I'm ecstatic with this win," head coach Joe Frager said, "I thought our kids did a fantastic job defensively. They paid really close attention to the scouts and really executed it to a tee."

 

Albany already became the seventh opponent that the Stags had held to under 50 points in the first 10 games of the season. Since Frager became the head of the coaching circle, the Stags have held 26 opponents to under 50 points and are 25-1 in those games. They have also confined 14 teams to under 45 points and lastly restricted 6 to below 40 tallies. It is safe to say that defense is something that the coach emphasizes in practice, "We really focused on our defense that is what we keyed in on before going into the game, we just wanted to take away their plans and make it as hard as possible for them," Joelle Nawrocki said.

 

Excluding the Hofstra game where they gave up 89 points, the team has allowed only 38 points per game! The big reason why they were able to 'secure' their winning streak which now stands at three games and 'guard' their 7-3 record.

 

Fairfield seems to have used these non-conference games as a way to flush out their mistakes and work on their strengths before the ever important MAAC portion of their schedule. "I think we're starting to turn the corner, conference play is always difficult because everyone knows each other so darn well ," Frager said.

 

With only one out-of-conference games remaining, the Stag's defense (which is the best in the MAAC) is coming together at the right time. "I think we can make a good case that this may be our best win of the season," Frager said. The head coach has always prided his team on their defensive systems. With the offense just starting to gleam the defense has always shined. If the team continues their impressive defensive effort, it just might 'secure' a MAAC crown.

Princeton 2 Fairfield 0

The Fairfield Stags women's soccer team (4-5-1) were shut out again this time at the hands of the Princeton Tigers (5-3). Click for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-Kelly Boudreau had 11 saves in the contest 9 of those came in the first half. The Stags were out shot 10-1 in the first half and 17-4 in the game.

-With this shut out the Stags haven't scored a goal in 290 minutes! They have not touched net in nearly 2 weeks.

-The Stags offensive stars including preseason player of the year Jasmin Corniel, 2009 preseason player of the year Nicole Cavallaro, and Casey Frobey each have only one goal on the season.

I'm really worried about the Stags offense this season. After their loss to army their coach pointed out that they do not play an entire game and they are falling out early. The Stags enter MAAC play reeling on the offensive side. This is Princeton and the Stags have never beat Princeton in their program history but I am sure that coach O'Brien was not happy with the team being out shot 10-1 in the first half. Maybe this promising offense needs to get into conference play to be successful but their forwards are STACKED.

Up Next:
The Stags will host Harvard on Tuesday October 5th at 6 PM. The Stags have not scored a goal in over 300 minutes at Lessing Field. Fairfield has also never beaten Harvard with a 0-4-2 career record against the Crimson.

Army 1 Fairfield 0

The Fairfield Stags women's soccer team (4-4) were shutout by the Army Black Knights (7-2) this afternoon. The Stags are now 1-3 in home games this year. Click for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:

-Fairfield has been shutout 3 straight games at home.

-Army is ranked 7th in the NSCAA Mid Atlantic Region

-The Black Knights have only allowed 3 goals all year.

I liked what I saw out of the team in the second half. They came out aggressive and really had Army on its heels and almost tied up the game but Jasmin Corniel's shot was saved by a diving Alex Lostetter to keep the lead. I am a little worried about the Stag's offense and how can you not be. They haven't scored a goal at home for over 300 minutes and have been shutout in three of their last 4 games. O'Brien says it's because they don't play a full game and I agree. They are 0-4 when trailing this season but undefeated when they score the first goal.

Up Next:

The Stags will take on the Hartford Hawks on Thursday at 7 PM.

Fairfield 3 Stony Brook 0

The Fairfield Stags women's basketball team (4-3) shutout the Stony Brook Seawolves (0-7-1) last night. The Stags snap their three game losing streak. Click for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:

- Spenser Allaway played in her first game of the season and also recorded her first game winning goal of the year. It is her 7th career GWG.

- Jac Ley scored her first two collegiate goals in the contest.

- Shannon Fay assisted on 2 out of the three goals.

- Kelly Boudreau made 8 saves to complete the shutout

This is what the Stags needed. I know it is aganist a winless team but it is the way that they won. They got that little spark from a returning player in Spenser Allaway. It is great to see her play again. She has dealt with so many injuries during her career and she has shown that she has the talent. She was named to the All-MAAC First Team last year and she is defintely an ignitor to the offense.

One of the main reasons why I love Coach O'Brien is he is great at getting the whole team involved. The four main freshmen recruits have played in every game and have all made a big impact. I really think it is a very talented class and will enjoy watching them all season.

Up Next:

The Stags will host Army on Sunday at 1PM. The Black Knights are currently third in the nation in defense.

Fairfield 1 American 0

The Fairfield Stags (3-0) women's soccer team shutout the American Eagles (0-5) last night. Click here for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-Casey Frobey scored the only goal for the Stags. She moved past Ahna Johnson for sixth on the all time points list with 73 and she also has 28 career goals which is one shy of Johnson's mark for fifth.

-This is the first Stags team to record 3 consecitive shutouts to start a season

-Fairfield starts a season winning three in a row for the first time since 2001. No team has ever started 4-0.

-Kelly Boudreau recorded her 25th career win which moves her into fourth on the all-time list.

Up Next:
The Stags will take one the 22nd ranked Georgetown Hoyas on Monday.

Fairfield 2 Binghamton 0

The Fairfield Stags (2-0) women's soccer team shut out the Binghamton Bear Cats (0-1) at Lessing Field for the Stag's home opener. It was the first meeting between the two and Fairfield has record back to back shutouts. Check out the Stags website for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:

- It is only the second time in program history that they shutout the first two opponents. The first one coming in the very first year.

- The Stags are now 5-0-1 in home openers under Coach Jim O' Brien.

- The two goals were scored by Nicole Cavallaro and Kasey Schulz. It was the first of the season for both.

- Kelly Boudreau assisted on the first goal (the first of her career) and Sarah Alesio dished out to Cavallaro in the second half.

- Stags only allowed 3 shots on goal. Throughout the first 2 games they have only allowed 4 shots.

The defense is really looking like a surprise for this team. Alyssa Decker had an amazing game and the Bear Cats were not able to get anything by her for most of the game. Carly Beyar also looks very good at the midfield as she showed off her athleticism and also played very well on defense.

Jasmin Corniel did take 3 shots and have one of those on goal, but she made some bad kicks and sat for most of the second half.

The game ball:

Goes to Kasey Schulz who mad an amazing shot falling down and hitting the top of the far post. Both of her shots were on goal and she really made matchup difficulties due to her speed.

Fairfield 1 Bryant 0

The Fairfield Stags (1-0) defeated the Butler Bulldogs (0-1) on the road by a single goal. For a full box score click here.

-The lone goal was scored by Preseason player of the year, Jasmine Corniel

-Butler only had one shot to save in the entire game

-Fairfield only allowed one corner kick in the entire matchup.

This is what Fairfield needed to do to start the season. They got a goal from someone who is expected to be there top scorer and they won without two of their starters!

The win snaps a 2 year losing streak in season openers.

I hope their defense can play the same way.

Volleyball Schedule

For the complete schedule click here.

This schedule does not seem as difficult as last seasons. This all comes down to how weak the MAAC actually is. Fairfield ended the year 145th in the nation in RPI and combined with Niagara was the only MAAC team in the top 150. There is something to be said for a team that finishes only 3-10 in their out-of-conference games and still completely dominate their conference at least in the regular season.

I am also disappointed that there is no home OOC games this season. Last year the Stags faced both Fordham and UCONN at Alumni Hall. Students actually showed up to the Wednesday night affair aganist UCONN. In fact Fairfield does not play a home game until September 25th playing 13 straight games on the road or at neutral site!