Fairfield Stags men's soccer

Infobox College Soccer Team
name = Fairfield Stags

logo_size = 150px
university = Fairfield University
conference = Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
conference_short = MAAC
division =
city = Fairfield
stateabb = CT
state = Connecticut
coach = flagicon|UK Carl Rees
tenure = 13th
stadium = Lessing Field
capacity = 600
nickname = Stags
color1 = Cardinal
color2 = White
color3 =
fontcolor =
hex1 = C41E3A
hex2 = FFFFFF
hex3 =
pattern_la1 =
pattern_b1 = _thinwhitesides
pattern_ra1 =
leftarm1 = C41E3A
body1 = C41E3A
rightarm1 = C41E3A
shorts1 = C41E3A
socks1 = C41E3A
pattern_la2 =
pattern_b2 =
pattern_ra2 =
leftarm2 = FFFFFF
body2 = FFFFFF
rightarm2 = FFFFFF
shorts2 = FFFFFF
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NCAAchampion =
NCAArunnerup =
NCAAtourneys = 1999, 2006
conference_tournament = 1999, 2006
conference_season = 1998, 2005, 2006

The Fairfield Stags men's soccer team represents Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut and competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) of NCAA Division I. The Stags play their home games at Lessing Field on the campus of Fairfield University. The team was ranked nationally in 1998 (24th), 2000 (15th), 2001 (12th), 2005 (24th), 2006 (15th) and 2007 (17th) and competed in the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament in 1999 and 2006 advancing to the second round after defeating in-state rival University of Connecticut, 2-1. The team also won the MAAC Championship Tournament in 1999 and 2006. Individually, ten players have earned Regional All-American honors including Mark Longwell '82 who was the first Stag to go on to play for the United States men's national soccer team and major professional soccer for the NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Stags are currently coached by Carl Rees.

History

Dawn of the Stags

The Fairfield Stags men's soccer program first began in 1964. Fairfield University Athletic Hall of Famer James Kuhlmann was the founding coach who dedicated himself to the University and the development of the program over the next 24 years. Coach Kuhlmann's dedication and efforts culminated in the Stags becoming a routine MAAC contender in the 80s with standout players Mark Longwell '82, who went on to play for the United States men's national soccer team and the NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies, and Alberto Zappala '82 leading the way. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/x18859.html#jkuhlmann Fairfield University :: 1995 Hall of Fame Inductees ] ]

Red Stags Rising

With Head Coach Carl Rees manning the helm over the past 10 years the Stags have been ranked among the nation's elite programs having produced seven NSCAA Regional All-Americans and achieved seven winning seasons, including double-digit win totals in five of the last 10 campaigns. In 1998, the Stags posted a program-high 15 wins, and earned a #24 national ranking, the first-ever top 25 poll appearance by any Fairfield University team. In 1999, the Stags won its first MAAC tournament title and the program's first NCAA play-in berth. In 2000, the Stags earned a #15 national ranking. In 2001, the Stags placed in the national rankings all but two weeks, hitting a program-high of number 12. In 2005, the Stags posted an unbeaten conference record (8-0-1) for the first time in school history and captured the MAAC regular-season championship. The Stags also garnered a national ranking in the 2005 polls, thanks in part to an unbeaten mark during the month of October (8-0-1).

2006 Season

In 2006 the Stags became the first Fairfield team in any sport to advance past the first round of an NCAA Tournament, as they defeated UConn 2-1 in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship in Storrs, CT. After winning the MAAC regular season and post season championship, the Stags, led by seniors Alex Cunliffe and Mike Troy, as well as juniors Tom Skara, J.P. Francini and Sam Bailey, entered the UConn game as the underdog. A goal by senior Jimmy Gaughan broke a 1-1 tie and solid goaltending from Francini kept the lead for Fairfield who upset the Huskies. The Stags lost to Towson in the second round, but will be remembered as one of the best athletic teams in school history.

All-Time Head Coaches

tags in the pros

ee also

* [http://www.fairfieldstags.com/sports/m-soccer/index Official team site]
* [http://fairfield.scout.com/ The Unofficial Fairfield Stags message board]
* [http://mirrorsports.blogspot.com/ Mirror Sports Blog: Covering Fairfield Athletics]

References