Today on the NHL Pro Sports Blog, I will keep in depth coverage of today's 3 p.m. trade deadline. It is sure to be interesting as tons of transactions have already occurred. Big moves will be covered on my blog "The Ak Attack." Leave questions and comments as I can provide accurate information about many teams! Stay tuned...
- Dan
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
it can only get better
It was a miserable day and I certainly would have rather been smoking a cigarette under the overhang in Jogues, but it was good to support the FU Women's Lacrosse Team. Good crowd too, can't knock Fairfield on that but hey, I've still got that atrocious showing for Stephen Lewis on Friday night. It's too bad Fairfield had an off day. 7-0. That was the score midway through the first half with Fairfield on the receiving end of an eventual 14-7 spanking at the hands of Yale. While Fairfield played like Yale's red headed step sister today, I think they'll be just fine. I'd rather be at Fairfield anyway; those kids just date our FU girls. Keep at it; practice might not really make perfect but always remember: We're better than Yale.
-Andrew Chapin
-Andrew Chapin
Women's LAX Update
It's cold, it's raining, and we're losing. Great way to segue into my first sports blog. Dan informs me this is not what covering all of Fairfield's sports are like, but many times it is. It is 10-3 right now and I have little motivation to continue watching, but at least close friend Rebecca White scored. More to come after the game as a cigarette and jacket await.
- Andrew Chapin
- Andrew Chapin
Five Stags Receive All-MAAC Team Spots
With the regular season now over, the MAAC has announced the All-MAAC teams for both men's and women's basketball. Three women's players and two men's players were named to the teams.
On the women's side junior guard Sabra Wrice received All-MAAC First Team honors, as she finished third in the conference in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game. Wrice, who was a two-time MAAC Player of the Week this season, broke the single game scoring record by scoring 36 points against Siena three games ago. She followed up that performance with a 21 point game against Marist. Wrice helped the Stags to a fourth place finish in the conference.
Sophomore Baendu Lowenthal was named to the All-MAAC Second Team after finishing behind Wrice with 11.2 points per game and also pulled down an average of 6.1 rebounds per game. Lowenthal and Wrice, who are both from Riverside N.J. and were childhood friends, formed a solid inside-out combination which gives the Stags a chance to go deep into the MAAC tournament.
Lowenthal was aided on the post by freshman forward Stephanie Geehan, who was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team. Geehan led the team in rebounds with 7.4 per game, which was third best in the MAAC. Her 41 blocks was the most among all freshman in NCAA Division I.
On the men's side senior guard Michael Van Schaick was rewarded for his play down the stretch when he was a major reason why the Stags won 10 of their last 12 games, to finish 10-8 in the MAAC, after starting 1-5. The Stags needed Van Schaick's grit and leadership to win many games, including their final game yesterday against St. Peter's to clinch a first round bye, when Van Schaick scored 14 points in the final four minutes of the game. Van Schaick's Coach Ed Cooley called Van Schaick a contender for MAAC Player of the Year earlier this season, showing how much he means to the team. Van Schaick had 85 three pointers on the season, setting a school record, breaking Greg Francis' record by five.
Freshman forward Greg Nero was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team after finishing second on the team with 9.3 points per game. Nero finished fifth in the conference in scoring amongst freshman. He started the season as the team's key player, becoming the first freshman in school history to lead his team in scoring in the first six games of the season and winning MAAC Rookie of the Week honors. Nero then was hurt by two things. Physically he suffered an elbow injury which has become progressively worse throughout the season and will not be fixed until after the season and teams began to double team him. Nero still was a major contributor to the Stags.
-Tom Cleary
On the women's side junior guard Sabra Wrice received All-MAAC First Team honors, as she finished third in the conference in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game. Wrice, who was a two-time MAAC Player of the Week this season, broke the single game scoring record by scoring 36 points against Siena three games ago. She followed up that performance with a 21 point game against Marist. Wrice helped the Stags to a fourth place finish in the conference.
Sophomore Baendu Lowenthal was named to the All-MAAC Second Team after finishing behind Wrice with 11.2 points per game and also pulled down an average of 6.1 rebounds per game. Lowenthal and Wrice, who are both from Riverside N.J. and were childhood friends, formed a solid inside-out combination which gives the Stags a chance to go deep into the MAAC tournament.
Lowenthal was aided on the post by freshman forward Stephanie Geehan, who was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team. Geehan led the team in rebounds with 7.4 per game, which was third best in the MAAC. Her 41 blocks was the most among all freshman in NCAA Division I.
On the men's side senior guard Michael Van Schaick was rewarded for his play down the stretch when he was a major reason why the Stags won 10 of their last 12 games, to finish 10-8 in the MAAC, after starting 1-5. The Stags needed Van Schaick's grit and leadership to win many games, including their final game yesterday against St. Peter's to clinch a first round bye, when Van Schaick scored 14 points in the final four minutes of the game. Van Schaick's Coach Ed Cooley called Van Schaick a contender for MAAC Player of the Year earlier this season, showing how much he means to the team. Van Schaick had 85 three pointers on the season, setting a school record, breaking Greg Francis' record by five.
Freshman forward Greg Nero was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team after finishing second on the team with 9.3 points per game. Nero finished fifth in the conference in scoring amongst freshman. He started the season as the team's key player, becoming the first freshman in school history to lead his team in scoring in the first six games of the season and winning MAAC Rookie of the Week honors. Nero then was hurt by two things. Physically he suffered an elbow injury which has become progressively worse throughout the season and will not be fixed until after the season and teams began to double team him. Nero still was a major contributor to the Stags.
-Tom Cleary
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Inside the Numbers: Breaking Down the Stags Victory Over St. Peter's
The Stags were very lucky to pull out a much needed win over St. Peter's this afternoon, 63-60. With about eight minutes left and Fairfield down by two, it really seemed as if they were going to lose to the ninth place team in the MAAC and be forced to play Iona Friday night in the play-in game.
Everything set up perfectly for Fairfield, Rider fell to Niagara early in the day, putting their fate in the Stags hands.
But they may have overlooked St. Peter's a bit and with injuries to Greg Nero, Rich Flemming, and Marty O'Sullivan, the Stags struggled to win, but in the end senior guard Michael Van Schaick stepped up his game and willed his team to victory, with 20 points in the second half and 25 on the game.
In the first half Head Coach Ed Cooley used many bodies, including Geoff Middleton and Roi Buchbinder, to fill in for the injured players in the frontcourt. Cooley said after the game that the Stags coaching staff decided it would be better to go with what they know, rather than not having a solid rotation, as they have done in the past few games. Nero and O'Sullivan played more in the second half, despite being at around 70 percent.
Cooley praised Van Schaick for leading his team to a win, calling him a superhero, who put on his cape in the second half and did everything necessary for the Stags to get the win.
A few notes:
-Tom Cleary
Everything set up perfectly for Fairfield, Rider fell to Niagara early in the day, putting their fate in the Stags hands.
But they may have overlooked St. Peter's a bit and with injuries to Greg Nero, Rich Flemming, and Marty O'Sullivan, the Stags struggled to win, but in the end senior guard Michael Van Schaick stepped up his game and willed his team to victory, with 20 points in the second half and 25 on the game.
In the first half Head Coach Ed Cooley used many bodies, including Geoff Middleton and Roi Buchbinder, to fill in for the injured players in the frontcourt. Cooley said after the game that the Stags coaching staff decided it would be better to go with what they know, rather than not having a solid rotation, as they have done in the past few games. Nero and O'Sullivan played more in the second half, despite being at around 70 percent.
Cooley praised Van Schaick for leading his team to a win, calling him a superhero, who put on his cape in the second half and did everything necessary for the Stags to get the win.
A few notes:
- Jonathan Han `09 had a very solid game, with 10 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double double. He added five assists while turning the ball over just three times. The Stags as a team turned the ball over 16 times, while forcing 24 turnovers.
- The Stags shot under 30 percent in the first half, but shot 50 percent in the second half.
- Fairfield was outrebounded 37-30. Earlier in the season the Stags were out rebounding everyone, but still losing. In the end it comes down to grabbing the key rebounds down the stretch, and the Stags do just that.
- Van Schaick's defense has been overlooked at times but he was key down the stretch, stripping Brandon Brock of the ball and driving down the court for a fast break layup and then later getting back on defense to intercept a long pass that would have led to a fast break layup for St. Peter's. It looked as if noone was going to get back on defense for the Stags, but suddenly Van Schaick streaked into the backcourt, leaped up, snagged the ball and then held it as the clocked ticked down to 17 seconds, forcing St. Peter's to foul him.
- Interesting moment: The crowd, Cooley, and all of us at press row were shocked when Han threw up an alley oop to the rarely used Roi Buchbinder `10, who caught the ball and nearly slammed it home, sending it off of the rim. A little contact on the way up by a St. Peter's defender may have broken up what would have been an amazing play. Buchbinder seems to have some athletic ability, as evidenced by that play, but he often looks lost and not ready to be an everyday player by any means. Maybe with some development he could turn into a good bench player, in the way that O'Sullivan has in his senior year.
-Tom Cleary
Final from Jersey: Stags 63, St. Peter's 60
- It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty - but it's a W. Stags win, 63-60.
- Spann's desperation three falls well short - sealing the victory for Fairfield.
- Han is fouled immediately following the pass. He goes to the line, converts the first, but whiffs on the second. 63-60 Stags
- Fairfield ball with a mere :04.8 to play.
- A few cuts before the in bound pass gives Hakeem Gooding an open look, which he easily lays in. 62-60 Stags.
- Spann tries to take it all the way quickly and misses the lay-up. The jump ball on a near Anthony Johnson rebound results in a Peacocks possession call with :06.1 to go.
- Peter's in-bounds the ball with :13.3 to play.
- Van Schaick hits 'em both. This guy is a special player, especially after shooting 2-for-10 in the first half. 62-58 FU.
- St. Peter's pushes the ball up court quick, getting in a two-on-one situation with Han as a trailer. Van Schaick manages to intercept the pass and avoid the threat. He holds the ball for a few seconds and is eventually fouled. Great play from a special player.
- Peacocks don't foul, allowing Herbie to take it down to the end of the shot clock. Jon Han's three misses and the Peacocks pull down the rebound.
- Nero gets called on a soft foul on a Sowell attempt. The big center hits both shots from the line, tightening it to a two-point contest. 60-58 Stags.
- Not to be outdone, Michael Van Schaick hit another huge three. He is just taking over the game. 60-56 FU.
- After Nero's attempt to save a ball out of bounds gave St. Peter's a second opportunity, Raul Orta hit another three.
57-53 FU; 2:06 in the 2nd
- 57-53 FU
- Cooley burns another timeout to keep the boys focused.
- Great ball movement from the Stags leads to a lay-up for Herbie Allen. It started with Anthony Johnson in the post, who kicked it out to Nero who was sitting at the foul line. Nero faked the jump shot and hit a cutting Herbie down-low. A fine job from the Stags offense - something we have not been able to say too much this year.
- Spitler hits both shots to keep St. Peter's close. 55-53 Peacocks.
- Spitler gets fouled by Van Schaick in the middle of the Stags' aggressive full court trap.
- Keith Connors
55-51 FU; 2:38 in the 2nd
- 55-51 FU
- Timeout St. Peter's, sensing some Stag momentum.
- Van Schaick jumps in front of a pass and steals the ball. With an open net, Shake drives and lays it in. Nice anticipation from the senior guard. He has now scored the last nine points of the game for Fairfield.
- Kevin Spann fouls Van Schaick, who attempted to grab the rebound following a Jon Han missed three. Van Schaick hits them both to help the Stags regain the lead. 53-51 FU.
- Following a few St. Peter's misses, Todd Sowell finally tips in a rebound. We're all tied again. 51-51.
- A foul on the floor before the timeout sends Shake to the line. After the intermission, Shake hits the first on the "one-and-one", and adds the second. 51-49 Stags.
49-49; 3:59 in the 2nd
- Media timeout. 3:59 to play
- The Stags move into a full court trap on the inbound. We've got ourselves a game.
- Van Schaick hits a three off of a pick-and-pop play. He's finally starting to regain that shooting touch. 49-49 Tie.
- Anthony Johnson checks back in.
49-46 Peacocks; 4:44 in the 2nd
- Cooley calls a timeout, very displeased with his team's play of late. The peacock mascot is loving it and finally moving. Specifically, he's raising the roof.
- Orta steals the ball on an errant pass, takes it the other way and dunks it. The crowd is going crazy here at Alumni in Jersey City 49-46 Peacocks.
- Todd Sowell gets held by Marty and goes to the line. He hits the first to tie the game, then adds the second to take the lead. 47-46 Peacocks.
- O'Sullivan turns it over on a forced pass to Nero on the post. Another unnecessary Fairfield turnover.
- SHAKE ALERT: Van Schaick hits a three from the top of the arc that hits nothing but net. They need him to get going for them to pull out this win. 46-45 Stags.
- Brock and Nero wrestle for a loose ball - finally deemed by the ref to be a jump ball. Not sure why it took so long - maybe he liked the wrestling match. Stags ball.
- The mascot has not moved in 3 minutes. I want to call the cops.
45-43 Peacocks; 6:59 in the 2nd
- A beautiful play from Gooding on a lay-up puts the Peacocks back up by a pair. The crowd is starting to get into it. 45-43 Peacocks.
- Han adds a pair of shots from the charity stripe following a foul on the floor. The Stags even it up. 43-43 Tie.
- Cooley's jacket goes flying, along with a "This is not basketball! Be a man!" line.
- Brock gets run over by Mamadou, who put a shoulder down on a fastbreak attempt. Brock fell right in front of him.
- Allen is fouled on the floor - and in the "one-and-one" makes both shots. After a long malaise in this game, the Stags are showing signs of life. 43-41 Peacocks.
- Diakhate hits a jumper, but is matched on the other end of the floor from Brandon Brock. Diakhate gets another look moments later and nails it easily. 43-39 Peacocks.
- Orta hits a pair of free throws following an O'Sullivan hold on the floor. 41-35 Peacocks.
- Sowell blocks Mamadou hard - causing the Peacock faithful to erupt. And yes, I just said that.
- Sowell gets a tip-in after a Spann miss. 39-35 Peacocks.
- Allen knocks down a three on a kick-out pass to beat the zone. Great look. 37-35 Peacocks.
- Diakhate gets called on a foul on a Sowell post. Sowell heads to the line for the one-and-one, hits the first, and misses the second. 37-32 Peacocks.
- Nero, after his "and one" lay-in, adds the lay-in. Nero's a great foul shooter. Mamadou checks in for him after he hits the shot. 36-32 Peacocks.
- Random story of the day: After Tom, Ben, and I got lost in Union City, NJ, we decide to stop at a gas station to get directions. With Ben in the driver seat, it was up to yours truly to ask our gas station attendant (Eduardo, by the way) to ask for directions. His reponse: "I no understand your English", after an awkward ten second stare down with me. He then added, "You speak French?". Priceless.
36-31 Peters; 11:58 in the 2nd
- Nero gets a good look down-low off of a screen - hits the shot and the foul. 36-31 Peters with a foul shot to come.
- Raul Orta hits a three from the corner on a good look. Orta seems to like the long range jumper. 36-29 Peters.
- Allen pump fakes and drives, but Spann gets the foul called. 33-29 Peters.
- The St. Peter's Peacock mascot is a creeper - he stands in the corner and does nothing. Disturbing to say the least.
- Dapper Cooley Watch: white shirt with a blue/silver striped tie. Classy.
33-29 Peters; 14:15 in the 2nd
- A Marty O'Sullivan (his first action all night) steal leads to a foul on Van Schaick on the flooor after a potential fast break.
- Herbie Allen drains a wide open three. 33-29 Peters.
- Van Schaick misses a three trying to beat the 2-3 zone. Kevin Spann goes the other way with the carom and takes it to the whole with a lay-up. 33-26 Peters.
- Brock fouls Shake on the floor - hard foul from the big PG.
- Brock gets the ball in the pain on a cut, misses the first, but grabs his own rebound and puts it in. 31-26 Peters.
- Peanut gets the ball in the post, misses the shot, but is fouled by Hakeem Gooding in the process. Johnson goes to the line - he misses both (ugly day of shooting). he gets a second chance on a lane violation and hits one. 29-26 Peters.
- Raul Ortiz misses a long three from NBA range with the shot clock winding down. Not exactly what they had in mind.
- Pre-game meal: Jersey style pizza and a Diet Pepsi. Surprisingly, not too bad. They make it better here than they do in Barone. Ben and Tom agreed.
29-25 Peacocks; 17:29 in the 2nd
- Spitler gets trapped in the corner and calls a quick timeout.
- Stags move to a full court trap.
- Han nabs a steal and (big shocker) misses, but the Stags pull down the board. They eventually work it around to Van Schaick, who drains the three. 29-25 Peters.
- A.J. misses a turnaround lay-in. Peacocks rebound.
- We're back! I finally got a seat. What a day...
- Keith Connors
Women Fall to Marist, 72-53
The women's basketball team dropped their final regular season game, losing to Marist this afternoon.
The loss drops the Stags back into the fourth seed as Loyola won today to take back the third seed.
The Stags (15-14 overall, 11-7 MAAC) still get the first round bye, but will now likely have to face the five seed (Canisius or Siena) unless the 10th-seeded Rider pulls off an upset.
The game against Marist was a struggle from the start. Fairfield fell behind early and couldn't recover. The Stags' defense struggled to contain the Red Foxes, allowing them to shot 53 percent from the floor for the game and only forcing ten turnovers.
10 different players scored for Marist, as they raced out to a 13 point lead only five minutes into the game, 15-2. At the half, the score wasn't much better: 43-23.
Despite struggling on both ends of the floor, there were some positives.
Led by freshman Stephanie Geehan, the Stags controlled the boards, 41-30. Geehan had a career high 16 rebounds, eight on each end of the floor.
After struggling last game with her shot, junior guard Sabra Wrice rebounded to score 21 points, a game high.
However, the Stags were never really in this game and the MAAC tournament is coming up.
Check back here, the Women's Basketball blog, and fairfieldmirror.com for more details and hopefully reaction from Head Coach Dianne Nolan.
-Chris Simmons
The loss drops the Stags back into the fourth seed as Loyola won today to take back the third seed.
The Stags (15-14 overall, 11-7 MAAC) still get the first round bye, but will now likely have to face the five seed (Canisius or Siena) unless the 10th-seeded Rider pulls off an upset.
The game against Marist was a struggle from the start. Fairfield fell behind early and couldn't recover. The Stags' defense struggled to contain the Red Foxes, allowing them to shot 53 percent from the floor for the game and only forcing ten turnovers.
10 different players scored for Marist, as they raced out to a 13 point lead only five minutes into the game, 15-2. At the half, the score wasn't much better: 43-23.
Despite struggling on both ends of the floor, there were some positives.
Led by freshman Stephanie Geehan, the Stags controlled the boards, 41-30. Geehan had a career high 16 rebounds, eight on each end of the floor.
After struggling last game with her shot, junior guard Sabra Wrice rebounded to score 21 points, a game high.
However, the Stags were never really in this game and the MAAC tournament is coming up.
Check back here, the Women's Basketball blog, and fairfieldmirror.com for more details and hopefully reaction from Head Coach Dianne Nolan.
-Chris Simmons
Women’s Basketball: Fairfield Stags at Marist Red Foxes
Site: The McCann Center, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Time: Sunday, 2 p.m.
STAG PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name Pos. Ht. PPG RPG APG-Notes
4 Lauren Groom G 5-11 4.8 2.5 0.8 – Shooting 38.8 percent in road games
11 Megan Caskin G 5-8 2.9 2.8 3.2 – Career-high 8 assists against Siena
15 Sabra Wrice G 5-8 15.3 4.6 2.2 – Single-game record 36 points vs. Siena
32 Stephanie Geehan F 6-0 6.1 7.0 0.9 – 8.7 rpg in last 6 games
40 Baendu Lowenthal F 6-0 11.4 6.1 1.3 – Averaging 13.3 pts, 8.0 reb last 8 games
MARIST PROBABLE STARTERS
Pos. Ht. Yr. No./Name-Key Stats
G 5-7 Sr. #2 Alisa Kresge – Career: 557 asts, 208 stls
G 5-4 Jr. #22 Nikki Flores – .800 FT (5th in MAAC)
G 5-7 RS-So. #3 Julianne Viani – 14 pts each of last 2 games
F 6-0 Fr. #12 Rachele Fitz – 10 MAAC R.O.W. awards
C 6-3 RS-Jr. #14 Meg Dahlman – .635 FG last seven games
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
FAIRFIELD STAGS: Sabra Wrice and Baendu Lowenthal are the Stags’ key players. Their communication on the court and ability to work with each another make them a killer duo. Wrice’s dominant attitude lets her plow by players to the basket. Look for Lowenthal’s defense and rebounding to play a key role in success for the Stags.
RED FOXES: Courtney Kolesar ’08 and Meg Dalhman (red-shirt ’08) have led the Red Foxes all season long. Kolesar is key in final breaking moments and good under pressure. She also has the ability to last throughout the game, playing as strong in the closing minutes as she does in the opening ones. Dalhman has been one of the leading scorers in the past few games and has led the Red Foxes out of tough situations.
-Mary Therese
Time: Sunday, 2 p.m.
STAG PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name Pos. Ht. PPG RPG APG-Notes
4 Lauren Groom G 5-11 4.8 2.5 0.8 – Shooting 38.8 percent in road games
11 Megan Caskin G 5-8 2.9 2.8 3.2 – Career-high 8 assists against Siena
15 Sabra Wrice G 5-8 15.3 4.6 2.2 – Single-game record 36 points vs. Siena
32 Stephanie Geehan F 6-0 6.1 7.0 0.9 – 8.7 rpg in last 6 games
40 Baendu Lowenthal F 6-0 11.4 6.1 1.3 – Averaging 13.3 pts, 8.0 reb last 8 games
MARIST PROBABLE STARTERS
Pos. Ht. Yr. No./Name-Key Stats
G 5-7 Sr. #2 Alisa Kresge – Career: 557 asts, 208 stls
G 5-4 Jr. #22 Nikki Flores – .800 FT (5th in MAAC)
G 5-7 RS-So. #3 Julianne Viani – 14 pts each of last 2 games
F 6-0 Fr. #12 Rachele Fitz – 10 MAAC R.O.W. awards
C 6-3 RS-Jr. #14 Meg Dahlman – .635 FG last seven games
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
FAIRFIELD STAGS: Sabra Wrice and Baendu Lowenthal are the Stags’ key players. Their communication on the court and ability to work with each another make them a killer duo. Wrice’s dominant attitude lets her plow by players to the basket. Look for Lowenthal’s defense and rebounding to play a key role in success for the Stags.
RED FOXES: Courtney Kolesar ’08 and Meg Dalhman (red-shirt ’08) have led the Red Foxes all season long. Kolesar is key in final breaking moments and good under pressure. She also has the ability to last throughout the game, playing as strong in the closing minutes as she does in the opening ones. Dalhman has been one of the leading scorers in the past few games and has led the Red Foxes out of tough situations.
-Mary Therese
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Women Sweep St. Peter's, Move Into Third Place In MAAC
The women's basketball team completed a season sweep of St. Peter's by winning 57-54 on Friday night.
The win moves the Stags into a tie with Loyola in the MAAC as both teams have 11-6 conference records. The Stags hold the tiebreaker over the Greyhounds however, giving them the third-place seed with one game remaining. The win also improves the Stags' overall record to 15-13, guaranteeing them a winning season.
Fairfield was able to take charge in the first half using stellar defense, holding the Peahens to a mere 28.6 percent from the field, as the Stags took a 30-19 lead at the half.
Sophomore Lauren Groom scored all 10 of her team-high points in the first half.
However, St. Peter's was able to chip away at the lead and was up by one as late as 2:47 left in the game. Yet the Stags managed to hold on and pull out the victory, a crucial one this late in the season.
More details to follow tomorrow along with reaction from Coach Nolan.
-Chris Simmons
The win moves the Stags into a tie with Loyola in the MAAC as both teams have 11-6 conference records. The Stags hold the tiebreaker over the Greyhounds however, giving them the third-place seed with one game remaining. The win also improves the Stags' overall record to 15-13, guaranteeing them a winning season.
Fairfield was able to take charge in the first half using stellar defense, holding the Peahens to a mere 28.6 percent from the field, as the Stags took a 30-19 lead at the half.
Sophomore Lauren Groom scored all 10 of her team-high points in the first half.
However, St. Peter's was able to chip away at the lead and was up by one as late as 2:47 left in the game. Yet the Stags managed to hold on and pull out the victory, a crucial one this late in the season.
More details to follow tomorrow along with reaction from Coach Nolan.
-Chris Simmons
A Fighting Start: Stags take down Friars in Lax Opener
When a team starts a season, anything seems possible.
The Fairfield Men’s lacrosse team proved that adage in its bizarre 6-5 victory over the Providence Friars, a game that began as a blow-out, gradually developed into a nail-biter, and ended in a near fist-fight between the two teams.
Midfielders Dan Boudreau and Greg Downing led the way for the offense. Boudreau had three goals and Downing scored early in the contest to give the Stags exactly what they wanted: a fast start.
As the game wore on, it was the other end of the field that took over.
Stifling goaltending from Mike Kruger kept the Stags in the game during the Friars seemingly improbably run. Kruger finished the game with 10 saves, some of them coming from point blank range and on man-down defense.
“He played phenomenal,” said Spencer.
It was truly a tale of two halves for Fairfield, who dominated the first half and controlled ball possession.
The Stags offense clicked early and often at the outset. Pre-season All-American Greg Downing scored on extra-man offense just 1:33 into the game.
After some strong defensive stands, Dan Boudreau scored his first of three goals at 9:35 in the 1st quarter.
Brian Stanton hit the back of the net mere seconds later on a missed defensive slide from the Friars, and Travis Nelson finished off a textbook fast break sparked by a stick check from Matt Scanlon picked up by Downing, who took it to the other end of the field.
Fairfield continued its overwhelming momentum into the second quarter, following a 4-0 first in which they limited the Friars to just two shots.
Dan Boudreau scored his second goal on a pretty lefty underhand shot in front of a screen. Seconds after the goal, Providence coach Chris Burdick pulled All-MAAC preseason pick Peter Littell from the net.
The early success was more than just offense – the team played well in all facets of the game.
The defense limited Providence to a mere six shots in the entire first half.
In addition, the Stags attackmen did a fantastic job riding the defense on clears, as Providence turned the ball over on six straight attempts at one point in the second quarter.
A turning point for Providence came late in the 2nd quarter with the Stags up 5-1. The Friars finally got the ball on offense and decided to play keep away – finally maintaining a possession. Fairfield didn’t get the ball for over two and a half minutes, a period during which Providence did not even run away.
In retrospect, Head Coach Ted Spencer felt it made a difference in the game.
“Personally, I feel it was a very good coaching move by them. They knew they couldn’t run with us and they started stalling,” said Spencer. “I think they wanted to keep us on defense and keep us tired and force us into penalty situations.”
Penalties and turnovers played a key role in the Friars' comeback, as the Stags committed 10 penalties over the course of the game. They turned the ball over 18 times, 11 of those in the second half during the Friars’ comeback attempt.
For Providence, senior midfielder Devin McBride scored three times on five shots on goal and willed the Friars back into the game, lessening it to a two score contest at 5-3.
Fairfield, though, refused to relent. Boudeau added his third goal to complete the hat trick and put the Stags up with a commanding 6-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Providence wouldn’t give up immediately, as Bobby Labadini scored 26 seconds later to pull the Friars back in the game.
The Fairfield defense was a huge factor in stopping the potential Friars' rally, but the story of the game was the outstanding job from senior Mike Kruger, who had key saves in man-down defense.
“A lot of [our penalty killing] was Mike Kruger’s phenomenal play in goal,” said Spencer.
As if the game could get any crazier, a late hit at the buzzer following a Providence turnover eventually led to an altercation between the two teams in front of the benches. Referees and coaches desperately attempted to separate the two sides.
Spencer claims such an act was a rarity.
“We have zero tolerance for that. It’s the first time in my 12 years something like that has happened,” he said.
“It was a passionate game,” said Spencer.
- Keith Connors
The Fairfield Men’s lacrosse team proved that adage in its bizarre 6-5 victory over the Providence Friars, a game that began as a blow-out, gradually developed into a nail-biter, and ended in a near fist-fight between the two teams.
Midfielders Dan Boudreau and Greg Downing led the way for the offense. Boudreau had three goals and Downing scored early in the contest to give the Stags exactly what they wanted: a fast start.
As the game wore on, it was the other end of the field that took over.
Stifling goaltending from Mike Kruger kept the Stags in the game during the Friars seemingly improbably run. Kruger finished the game with 10 saves, some of them coming from point blank range and on man-down defense.
“He played phenomenal,” said Spencer.
It was truly a tale of two halves for Fairfield, who dominated the first half and controlled ball possession.
The Stags offense clicked early and often at the outset. Pre-season All-American Greg Downing scored on extra-man offense just 1:33 into the game.
After some strong defensive stands, Dan Boudreau scored his first of three goals at 9:35 in the 1st quarter.
Brian Stanton hit the back of the net mere seconds later on a missed defensive slide from the Friars, and Travis Nelson finished off a textbook fast break sparked by a stick check from Matt Scanlon picked up by Downing, who took it to the other end of the field.
Fairfield continued its overwhelming momentum into the second quarter, following a 4-0 first in which they limited the Friars to just two shots.
Dan Boudreau scored his second goal on a pretty lefty underhand shot in front of a screen. Seconds after the goal, Providence coach Chris Burdick pulled All-MAAC preseason pick Peter Littell from the net.
The early success was more than just offense – the team played well in all facets of the game.
The defense limited Providence to a mere six shots in the entire first half.
In addition, the Stags attackmen did a fantastic job riding the defense on clears, as Providence turned the ball over on six straight attempts at one point in the second quarter.
A turning point for Providence came late in the 2nd quarter with the Stags up 5-1. The Friars finally got the ball on offense and decided to play keep away – finally maintaining a possession. Fairfield didn’t get the ball for over two and a half minutes, a period during which Providence did not even run away.
In retrospect, Head Coach Ted Spencer felt it made a difference in the game.
“Personally, I feel it was a very good coaching move by them. They knew they couldn’t run with us and they started stalling,” said Spencer. “I think they wanted to keep us on defense and keep us tired and force us into penalty situations.”
Penalties and turnovers played a key role in the Friars' comeback, as the Stags committed 10 penalties over the course of the game. They turned the ball over 18 times, 11 of those in the second half during the Friars’ comeback attempt.
For Providence, senior midfielder Devin McBride scored three times on five shots on goal and willed the Friars back into the game, lessening it to a two score contest at 5-3.
Fairfield, though, refused to relent. Boudeau added his third goal to complete the hat trick and put the Stags up with a commanding 6-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Providence wouldn’t give up immediately, as Bobby Labadini scored 26 seconds later to pull the Friars back in the game.
The Fairfield defense was a huge factor in stopping the potential Friars' rally, but the story of the game was the outstanding job from senior Mike Kruger, who had key saves in man-down defense.
“A lot of [our penalty killing] was Mike Kruger’s phenomenal play in goal,” said Spencer.
As if the game could get any crazier, a late hit at the buzzer following a Providence turnover eventually led to an altercation between the two teams in front of the benches. Referees and coaches desperately attempted to separate the two sides.
Spencer claims such an act was a rarity.
“We have zero tolerance for that. It’s the first time in my 12 years something like that has happened,” he said.
“It was a passionate game,” said Spencer.
- Keith Connors
Men's Basketball: Fairfield Stags at Saint Peter's Peacocks
Site: The Yanitelli Center
Time: Sunday, 4:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (12-18, 9-8 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.6 ppg, 135 assists – 16 points against Marist on Monday
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.8 ppg, 58 assists– leads MAAC in free throw percentage (.842)
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 4 points, 4 boards vs. Marist
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.6 ppg, 22 assists– 21 steals on the year
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg – 7th in MAAC in blocked shots with 1.07 per game
SAINT PETER’S (5-23, 3-14 MAAC)
Raul Orta, G, 6-4, Jr., 13.6 ppg, 57 assists – Notched 13 points last time out vs. Fairfield
Tim Spitler, G, 6-3, Jr., 4.8 ppg, 33 assists – Leads team with 45 steals
Kevin Spann, G, 6-0, So., 11.9 ppg, 95 assists – Team-high 9 points on Friday against Iona
Kinzey Reeves, F, 7-0, Sr., 2.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg – Notched 11 points in first contest with Stags
Akeem Gooding, F, 6-6, Fr., 10.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg – 8 points, 11 boards vs. the Gaels
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
PEACOCK WOES: This season has been a rough one for Saint Peter’s. The team went through the longest losing streak in program history, losing 17 straight from early December to mid-February. The Peacocks currently sit at ninth place in the MAAC. Nonetheless, they enter tomorrow’s game coming off a come-from-behind win against Iona.
MAKING A STATEMENT: The Stags have lost three of their last four MAAC contests. However, they are still in contention for an upper-level seeding in the Tournament. Look for Fairfield to bounce back from its Monday-night loss to Marist and finish its regular season with authority.
-Frank Romano
Time: Sunday, 4:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (12-18, 9-8 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.6 ppg, 135 assists – 16 points against Marist on Monday
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.8 ppg, 58 assists– leads MAAC in free throw percentage (.842)
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 4 points, 4 boards vs. Marist
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.6 ppg, 22 assists– 21 steals on the year
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg – 7th in MAAC in blocked shots with 1.07 per game
SAINT PETER’S (5-23, 3-14 MAAC)
Raul Orta, G, 6-4, Jr., 13.6 ppg, 57 assists – Notched 13 points last time out vs. Fairfield
Tim Spitler, G, 6-3, Jr., 4.8 ppg, 33 assists – Leads team with 45 steals
Kevin Spann, G, 6-0, So., 11.9 ppg, 95 assists – Team-high 9 points on Friday against Iona
Kinzey Reeves, F, 7-0, Sr., 2.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg – Notched 11 points in first contest with Stags
Akeem Gooding, F, 6-6, Fr., 10.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg – 8 points, 11 boards vs. the Gaels
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
PEACOCK WOES: This season has been a rough one for Saint Peter’s. The team went through the longest losing streak in program history, losing 17 straight from early December to mid-February. The Peacocks currently sit at ninth place in the MAAC. Nonetheless, they enter tomorrow’s game coming off a come-from-behind win against Iona.
MAKING A STATEMENT: The Stags have lost three of their last four MAAC contests. However, they are still in contention for an upper-level seeding in the Tournament. Look for Fairfield to bounce back from its Monday-night loss to Marist and finish its regular season with authority.
-Frank Romano
Monday, February 19, 2007
Swimming and Diving closes 06-07 season at the ECAC Championships
The swimming and diving team wrapped up their season this weekend at the ECAC Championships, hosted by
The men’s team took 15th out of 18, just behind
Seniors Brittany Hunter and Jennifer Masi concluded their last meet as Stags on a high note.
Hunter took 7th in the 500 yd freestyle, 12th in the 200 yd freestyle, 16th in the 200 yd butterfly, and was part of the 200 medley relay that took 9th place overall.
Masi was also a member of that relay, as well as taking 13th in the 50 freestyle and 30th in the 100 freestyle.
Liz Lawlor ’08 Kaitlyn Buckeit ’09 also performed well.
Drew Kingman ’09 again took the lead for the men, notching 21st in the 200 individual medley, 11th in the 400 individual medley, and 9th in the 200 breaststroke.
In diving, both male and female Stags shined.
On Friday, Taylor Stecko ’10 earned a 7th place finish in the 3 meter dive. He continued his run for the top in the 1 meter on Saturday, where he qualified for Sunday’s finals. In the end, Stecko dove his way to a score of 209.75 and 8th place.
For the women, Katharine Yee ’08 managed an excellent score of 192.35, taking 9th place in the 1 meter.
-Michelle
Pre-game Notes: Fairfield/Marist
- Coach Ed Cooley had a few words before the game, thanking the seniors and the fans for their help this season in the team's building process. "We want to bring this program where it belongs - on top of the MAAC".
- Van Schaick got an outstanding ovation after his video from a big crowd at Harbor Yard.
- This is one of the bigger crowds AND student sections I've seen all year. A definite positive as we are nearing tournament time. Let's hope they are loud before the game.
- Positive sign of the night for FU: the band has added..... a cowbell! Of course.. we needed more cowbell! (Jokes will be flowing all night. I hope you guys are SNL fans).
Hello from the Harbor! FU vs. Marist
Welcome to another edition of the Mirror Sports Glog!
After a one-game hiatus due to some transportation difficulties, I'm back for some live blog action in what may be the biggest game all year at Harbor Yard, pitting Jared Jordan and the top-ranked Marist Red Foxes against Michael Van Schaick and your Fairfield Stags.
A side note - tonight is senior night here at the Harbah. Van Schaick, Marty O'Sullivan, and Danny Oglesby were honored by President Fr. von Arx, Head Coach Ed Cooley, and Athletic Director Gene Doris. A nice vignette for each player began the festivities, which also included the player's respective families.
Marty O'Sullivan is slated to start ahead of forward Greg Nero tonight. Regardless of the fact that it is Senior Night for the Stags, O'Sullivan has done a better job lately and is Fairfield's leading rebounder.
Check back for more later!
- Keith Connors
The Glog is Back!
Hello from the Harbor!
Check out all the live action between the top-ranked MAAC team, and your Fairfield Stags! Tom anmd I will be gloggin' all night on the Men's Basketball blog.
Enjoy the game.
- Keith Connors
Check out all the live action between the top-ranked MAAC team, and your Fairfield Stags! Tom anmd I will be gloggin' all night on the Men's Basketball blog.
Enjoy the game.
- Keith Connors
Final Score: FU 74, SC 57
Wrice scores a school record 36 points while passing 1,000 for her career. She now has 1,015, putting her in 21st place All-Time.
-Chris Simmons
-Chris Simmons
Halftime Report: SC 34, FU 32
Fairfield has been playing well on offense, due mainly to Sabra Wrice who has 19 points in only 17 minutes. She now has exactly 1,000 points for her career, becoming the 21st player in Fairfield women's basketball history to surpass this milestone.
Fairfield is shooting 54 percent from the field and 67 percent from behind the arc.
However, the Stags need to buckle down on defense and try to limit Siena opportunities. Too many times the shot clock has been winding down, and Siena finds a gap to score.
-Chris Simmons
Fairfield is shooting 54 percent from the field and 67 percent from behind the arc.
However, the Stags need to buckle down on defense and try to limit Siena opportunities. Too many times the shot clock has been winding down, and Siena finds a gap to score.
-Chris Simmons
Men's Basketball: Fairfield Stags vs. Marist Red Foxes
Site: The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.
Time: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (12-17, 9-7 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.3 ppg, 131 assists – 12 points, 4 assists on Saturday vs. William and Mary
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.7 ppg, 54 assists – Before last game, had scored in double figures the last 17 outings
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 21 assists– 2 points, 4 boards, 2 assists against the Tribe
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg – 13 points, 4 boards last time out vs. Marist
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg – Team-high 16 points on Saturday
MARIST (21-7, 12-4 MAAC)
Will Whittington, G, 6-3, Sr., 17.1 ppg, 51 assists – Has made 104 three-point buckets this year
Jared Jordan, G, 6-2, Sr., 17.8 ppg, 230 assists – Leads MAAC and nation in apg with 8.5
James Smith,C, 7-0, Sr., 11. ppg, 6.3 rpg – 5 points, 11 boards on Saturday against Colgate
Ryan Stilphen, F, 6-8, Jr., 10.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg – Notched 18 points last time out against Fairfield
Ben Farmer, F, 6-5, Jr., 5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg – 4 points, 8 boards on Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
MARIST HOT STREAK: Marist enters the game with a six-game winning streak. The Red Foxes are currently the # 1 seed in the MAAC. Only one game ahead of the three teams deadlocked for second place however, Marist will look to keep the momentum alive versus Fairfield.
FOX HUNTING: The last time these two teams faced each other, Marist ended Fairfield’s seven-game winning streak in heartbreaking fashion. The Stags don’t live in the past, but you can guarantee that they’ll be seeing “red” come game time. Look for Fairfield to come out extra strong and build off Saturday’s win against William and Mary.
-Frank Romano
Time: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (12-17, 9-7 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.3 ppg, 131 assists – 12 points, 4 assists on Saturday vs. William and Mary
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.7 ppg, 54 assists – Before last game, had scored in double figures the last 17 outings
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 21 assists– 2 points, 4 boards, 2 assists against the Tribe
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg – 13 points, 4 boards last time out vs. Marist
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg – Team-high 16 points on Saturday
MARIST (21-7, 12-4 MAAC)
Will Whittington, G, 6-3, Sr., 17.1 ppg, 51 assists – Has made 104 three-point buckets this year
Jared Jordan, G, 6-2, Sr., 17.8 ppg, 230 assists – Leads MAAC and nation in apg with 8.5
James Smith,C, 7-0, Sr., 11. ppg, 6.3 rpg – 5 points, 11 boards on Saturday against Colgate
Ryan Stilphen, F, 6-8, Jr., 10.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg – Notched 18 points last time out against Fairfield
Ben Farmer, F, 6-5, Jr., 5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg – 4 points, 8 boards on Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
MARIST HOT STREAK: Marist enters the game with a six-game winning streak. The Red Foxes are currently the # 1 seed in the MAAC. Only one game ahead of the three teams deadlocked for second place however, Marist will look to keep the momentum alive versus Fairfield.
FOX HUNTING: The last time these two teams faced each other, Marist ended Fairfield’s seven-game winning streak in heartbreaking fashion. The Stags don’t live in the past, but you can guarantee that they’ll be seeing “red” come game time. Look for Fairfield to come out extra strong and build off Saturday’s win against William and Mary.
-Frank Romano
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Women Fall to Iona, 59-47
The women’s basketball team let an opportunity for second place in the MAAC slip away on Saturday.
One game behind Iona and Loyola coming into today's game, Fairfield fell 59-47, to put the Stags in fourth place.
The Stags never looked comfortable and couldn’t get in a rhythm offensively all game.
Head Coach Dianne Nolan blamed Fairfield's struggles on a lack of teamwork.
“I think people were trying to get free on their own and not really using each other,” she said.
Iona held the lead the entire game and Fairfield could never put a run together to pull ahead.
“The game was on the ropes and we missed a couple shots, we missed a couple foul shots. We held, we held, we held and then they kind of gapped us,” said Nolan.
The Stags shot only 30.2 percent from the floor for the game, including 14.3 percent from behind the arc, and a pitiful 46.4 percent (13 of 28) from the charity stripe.
Why Fairfield struggled so much from the free throw line was a source of confusion to the players and coaches.
“I have no idea. I wish I knew that answer. We shoot them in practice every day. I think it just became a head game,” said Nolan.
Sophomore forward Baendu Lowenthal said she agreed with Nolan.
“We’ve been shooting them ever since we were little. I think most of it is mental when it comes to foul shots.”
However, Lowenthal did play well -- when she played.
The Stags' star forward was limited to 20 minutes on the court due to foul trouble. Despite this, she was able to put in 10 points and come up with two steals as well.
“You have to be cautious when you start the game with two fouls,” she said. “You have to pick and choose [when to go for a steal]. I guess my choices were wrong today.”
Junior guard Sabra Wrice led all Fairfield scorers with 14 points, but shot only 3 of 14 from the field. She also re-injured her left hand on a fast break. However, according to Nolan, it shouldn’t keep her out of Monday’s game.
Freshman forward Stephanie Geehan was a bright spot in the disappointing loss. She led the Stags with 10 rebounds and also filled out the rest of her stat sheet with eight points, a block, and a steal.
Despite Geehan’s rebounding, the Stags lost the battle overall, getting out-rebounded 43-39.
The loss drops the Stags back to .500 at 13-13 overall and 9-6 in the MAAC. They currently sit in fourth place, which will probably be their final seeding.
With only three games left to play and Loyola holding a two game advantage, it is unlikely that the Stags will be able to catch the Greyhounds for the third-place seed.
Nolan summed up the game with a remark that could also be applied to Fairfield's MAAC standings.
“I think we lost some opportunities when we had them,” said Nolan.
-Chris Simmons
One game behind Iona and Loyola coming into today's game, Fairfield fell 59-47, to put the Stags in fourth place.
The Stags never looked comfortable and couldn’t get in a rhythm offensively all game.
Head Coach Dianne Nolan blamed Fairfield's struggles on a lack of teamwork.
“I think people were trying to get free on their own and not really using each other,” she said.
Iona held the lead the entire game and Fairfield could never put a run together to pull ahead.
“The game was on the ropes and we missed a couple shots, we missed a couple foul shots. We held, we held, we held and then they kind of gapped us,” said Nolan.
The Stags shot only 30.2 percent from the floor for the game, including 14.3 percent from behind the arc, and a pitiful 46.4 percent (13 of 28) from the charity stripe.
Why Fairfield struggled so much from the free throw line was a source of confusion to the players and coaches.
“I have no idea. I wish I knew that answer. We shoot them in practice every day. I think it just became a head game,” said Nolan.
Sophomore forward Baendu Lowenthal said she agreed with Nolan.
“We’ve been shooting them ever since we were little. I think most of it is mental when it comes to foul shots.”
However, Lowenthal did play well -- when she played.
The Stags' star forward was limited to 20 minutes on the court due to foul trouble. Despite this, she was able to put in 10 points and come up with two steals as well.
“You have to be cautious when you start the game with two fouls,” she said. “You have to pick and choose [when to go for a steal]. I guess my choices were wrong today.”
Junior guard Sabra Wrice led all Fairfield scorers with 14 points, but shot only 3 of 14 from the field. She also re-injured her left hand on a fast break. However, according to Nolan, it shouldn’t keep her out of Monday’s game.
Freshman forward Stephanie Geehan was a bright spot in the disappointing loss. She led the Stags with 10 rebounds and also filled out the rest of her stat sheet with eight points, a block, and a steal.
Despite Geehan’s rebounding, the Stags lost the battle overall, getting out-rebounded 43-39.
The loss drops the Stags back to .500 at 13-13 overall and 9-6 in the MAAC. They currently sit in fourth place, which will probably be their final seeding.
With only three games left to play and Loyola holding a two game advantage, it is unlikely that the Stags will be able to catch the Greyhounds for the third-place seed.
Nolan summed up the game with a remark that could also be applied to Fairfield's MAAC standings.
“I think we lost some opportunities when we had them,” said Nolan.
-Chris Simmons
Stags Win 61-45 Over William & Mary
The Stags were led by Anthony Johnson who finished with 14 points. Three other Stags were in double figures, Greg Nero (13), Marty O'Sullivan (11), and Jonathan Han (12).
Michael Van Schaick was held to just six points, his lowest total since the Boston College game.
More to come later.
-Tom Cleary
Michael Van Schaick was held to just six points, his lowest total since the Boston College game.
More to come later.
-Tom Cleary
Half-Time Update; Fairfield Leads W&M 21-13
The Stags went on a slight burst of energy down the stretch of the first half to pull ahead 21-13. Fairfield went on a 6-2 run to end the half.
The Stags made a great play with 1:31 left as pressure forced the Tribe to make a pass from the corner towards mid court. Anthony Johnson grabbed the pass and as he fell out of bounds he threw the ball off of Adam Payton, giving Fairfield the ball back.
With 3.1 seconds left Payton drove and was fouled by Johnson, making both free throws to end the half.
First-Half Notes:
The Stags made a great play with 1:31 left as pressure forced the Tribe to make a pass from the corner towards mid court. Anthony Johnson grabbed the pass and as he fell out of bounds he threw the ball off of Adam Payton, giving Fairfield the ball back.
With 3.1 seconds left Payton drove and was fouled by Johnson, making both free throws to end the half.
First-Half Notes:
- William and Mary was held to just 13 points on 5-for-21 shooting from the floor (23.8%). The Tribe were 0-for-7 from three point distance and 3-for-6 from the free throw line. Adam Payton leads the way with 9 points and only two other players have scored, Peter Stein and Nathan Mann each have 2 points.
- Fairfield was not much better, 8-for-26 from the floor for 21 points. The Stags are 3-for-13 from three. Anthony Johnson and Greg Nero each have four points, Jonathan Han has five, and Marty O'Sullivan leads the way with eight points.
- Both teams seem to be playing without energy. It appears that neither team really wants to be here, as both teams have nothing to gain from the game.
- Michael Van Schaick `07 was held scoreless as he picked up two quick fouls and played just nine minutes in the half.
- The Stags are being out rebounded 20-17. Nero and Mann both have four rebounds to lead all players.
- The Tribe have committed 9 turnovers, compared to Fairfield's 5.
- The Stags have given up the least amount of points in a half this year, giving up 17 to Central Arkansas earlier this year.
Welcome from the Harbor
The Stags battle William and Mary in their third Bracket Buster game.
Quick note: Jonathan HAn is starting with a wrap on his elbow again. We'll have to see how long he plays in what is basically a meaningless game.
More on the men's basketball blog.
-Tom Cleary
Quick note: Jonathan HAn is starting with a wrap on his elbow again. We'll have to see how long he plays in what is basically a meaningless game.
More on the men's basketball blog.
-Tom Cleary
Halftime Report: IC 32, FU 22
The Stags have struggled defensively in the first half, allowing Iona to get some easy looks, especially from outside, where the Gaels are shooting 50 percent (6 of 12).
Iona is also winning on the boards, pulling down 19 to Fairfield's 15.
Baendu Lowenthal was limited early with two fouls, but still was able to lead the Stags with seven points in only 11 minutes.
For more coverage, check the Women's Basketball blog throughout the rest of the game as the Stags try to rebound.
-Chris Simmons
Iona is also winning on the boards, pulling down 19 to Fairfield's 15.
Baendu Lowenthal was limited early with two fouls, but still was able to lead the Stags with seven points in only 11 minutes.
For more coverage, check the Women's Basketball blog throughout the rest of the game as the Stags try to rebound.
-Chris Simmons
Men’s Basketball: Fairfield vs. William and Mary
Site: The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.
Time: Saturday, 4 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (11-17, 9-7 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.2 ppg, 123 assists – 15 points, 4 assists on Wednesday vs. Siena
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 15.0 ppg, 45 assists – Has led team in scoring in 3 of last 5 games
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 17 assists– 2 points, 3 boards against Siena
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg – Has notched double figures in points in last 4 games
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg – 4 points, 2 boards vs. Saints
WILLIAM AND MARY (15-11, 8-8 Colonial Athletic Conference)
Nathan Mann, G, 6-2, Jr., 9.2 ppg, 54 assists – 12 points, 4 rebounds in last game vs. Drexel
David Schneider, G, 6-3, Fr., 8.7 ppg, 65 assists – 24 steals on the year
Adam Payton, G, 6-3, Sr., 13.5 ppg, 47 assists – 13 points, 4 assists against Drexel
Peter Stein, F, 6-9, So., 5.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg – .400 from behind the arc this year
Laimis Kisielius, F, 6-8, Jr., 11.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg – Led team with 17 points, 8 boards against Drexel
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
TENACIOUS TRIBE: William and Mary comes into the game riding a three-game winning streak. The Tribe played very well against Drexel during its last time out. Defense stood out the most, as William and Mary held the Dragons to a season-low 47 points. Look for the Tribe to continue the intensity on Saturday.
STAYING IN TOUCH WITH ‘UNCLE MO’: Despite a Wednesday-night loss to Siena, Fairfield has won eight out of its last 10 conference games. The Stags have risen in the standings and are turning quite a few heads. With only two MAAC regular season games to play after Saturday, Fairfield must rebound from its latest loss and keep up the confidence.
-Frank Romano
Time: Saturday, 4 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (11-17, 9-7 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.2 ppg, 123 assists – 15 points, 4 assists on Wednesday vs. Siena
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 15.0 ppg, 45 assists – Has led team in scoring in 3 of last 5 games
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 17 assists– 2 points, 3 boards against Siena
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg – Has notched double figures in points in last 4 games
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg – 4 points, 2 boards vs. Saints
WILLIAM AND MARY (15-11, 8-8 Colonial Athletic Conference)
Nathan Mann, G, 6-2, Jr., 9.2 ppg, 54 assists – 12 points, 4 rebounds in last game vs. Drexel
David Schneider, G, 6-3, Fr., 8.7 ppg, 65 assists – 24 steals on the year
Adam Payton, G, 6-3, Sr., 13.5 ppg, 47 assists – 13 points, 4 assists against Drexel
Peter Stein, F, 6-9, So., 5.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg – .400 from behind the arc this year
Laimis Kisielius, F, 6-8, Jr., 11.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg – Led team with 17 points, 8 boards against Drexel
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
TENACIOUS TRIBE: William and Mary comes into the game riding a three-game winning streak. The Tribe played very well against Drexel during its last time out. Defense stood out the most, as William and Mary held the Dragons to a season-low 47 points. Look for the Tribe to continue the intensity on Saturday.
STAYING IN TOUCH WITH ‘UNCLE MO’: Despite a Wednesday-night loss to Siena, Fairfield has won eight out of its last 10 conference games. The Stags have risen in the standings and are turning quite a few heads. With only two MAAC regular season games to play after Saturday, Fairfield must rebound from its latest loss and keep up the confidence.
-Frank Romano
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Stags lose to Siena
The Stags had a ten point lead with 7:38 left in the game, but turnovers cost them a key win on their home court. Fairfield turned the ball over 21 times, and Siena converted those turnovers into 30 points.
Siena (16-10, 11-5 MAAC) battled back from that ten point deficit to defeat Fairfield )11-17, 9-7 MAAC) 69-64. Siena was led by center Michael Haddix who scored 19 points, while Jonathan Han `09 led the way for Fairfield with 15 points. Anthony Johnson `10 added 14 and 7 rebounds for the Stags.
"Today was really frustrating, we had taken control of the game, but we went scoreless coming down the stretch," said Head Coach Ed Cooley," We literally handed them the ball and gave the game away."
Fairfield was down by three points with 36 seconds left to play, when Danny y turned the ball over in the back court.
"There were some inconsistent calls at a critical time in the game that really was valuable to us," said Cooley. "When you look at the discrepancy in free throws it really indicates that. We didn't play a good game. When they have 30 points off of turnovers, that is the game."
Senior guard Michael Van Schaick was held to just 10 points, as Siena's defense was tough on him all game.
"They were playing physical and running a couple guys at me," said Van Schaick, "But down the stetch we just didn't execute."
Anthony Johnson `10 knocked down an open jump shot two and a half minutes into the game, but the Stags could not score again until the 14:52 mark, when Johnson got the ball down low and scored again to make it 7-4 Siena.
From there the Stags went on a quick run, pulling ahead 14-9 with 12:44 left in the first half. Three pointers by guards Danny Oglesby `07 and Jonathan Han `09 sparked the 10-2 Fairfield run. Oglesby's three pointer was his first since the Fordham game on Dec. 28.
The two teams picked up the scoring, going back and forth for the next ten minutes. Both centers, Michael Haddix for Siena and Anthony Johnson for Fairfield led the way for their teams.
Haddix and Johnson traded baskets three times, until Siena began to take control heading to the end of the half.
The Saints quickened the pace and jumped out to a 33-24 lead with 1:18 left in the half as Haddix grabbed an offensive rebound and layed the ball in, giving him a game-high 14 points in the half.
The Stags cut the lead to 33-29 with a 5-0 run in the final minute, as Oglesby knocked down his second three pointer of the night and Johnson scored on the final possession to give him a team-high 12 points in the first half.
The Stags missed out on many opportunities in the first half. They shot just 13-for-30 in the first half, but Johnson was 6-for-7 from the floor.
While Fairfield turned the ball over one less time (11-10) than Siena, the Saints turned the 10 turnovers into 14 points, the Stags only had six points off of turnovers.
The Stags came out in the second half fast, as Van Schaick started to score for the first time all game. He scored four quick points on two jumpers in the first two minutes and also blocked a three pointer by Tay Fisher on the defensive end.
Siena stayed close until Fairfield went on a four minute, 11-0 run starting with a Han three pointer.
The Saints put on the pressure at the 12:44 mark, but Han dribbled through the pass, sent the ball ahead to Devin Johnson `10, who made a pass to the baseline, where Anthony Johnson drove and slammed home a one-handed dunk, igniting the Fairfield fans.
With 7:38 left in the game, Oglesby made his third three pointer of the game to make the score 58-48 Stags, but Fairfield could not keep pulling away. A 7-0 run by the Saints cut the Stags lead to 58-55 with 3:58 left.
After Han was fouled in the back court, he made one of two free throws on the double bonus. But Marty O'Sullivan `07tipped in the rebound on the miss to put the Stags up 61-57.
That lead would not last for long, as Siena came right back at Fairfield and took the lead 63-62 with 1:07 left in the game on two free throws by Alex Franklin.
Han said that this game will not hurt the Stags momentum heading into the MAAC tournament.
"Every game is a new game and we just have to get over this tough loss and test our character to see how we come back the next game," he said.
Siena (16-10, 11-5 MAAC) battled back from that ten point deficit to defeat Fairfield )11-17, 9-7 MAAC) 69-64. Siena was led by center Michael Haddix who scored 19 points, while Jonathan Han `09 led the way for Fairfield with 15 points. Anthony Johnson `10 added 14 and 7 rebounds for the Stags.
"Today was really frustrating, we had taken control of the game, but we went scoreless coming down the stretch," said Head Coach Ed Cooley," We literally handed them the ball and gave the game away."
Fairfield was down by three points with 36 seconds left to play, when Danny y turned the ball over in the back court.
"There were some inconsistent calls at a critical time in the game that really was valuable to us," said Cooley. "When you look at the discrepancy in free throws it really indicates that. We didn't play a good game. When they have 30 points off of turnovers, that is the game."
Senior guard Michael Van Schaick was held to just 10 points, as Siena's defense was tough on him all game.
"They were playing physical and running a couple guys at me," said Van Schaick, "But down the stetch we just didn't execute."
Anthony Johnson `10 knocked down an open jump shot two and a half minutes into the game, but the Stags could not score again until the 14:52 mark, when Johnson got the ball down low and scored again to make it 7-4 Siena.
From there the Stags went on a quick run, pulling ahead 14-9 with 12:44 left in the first half. Three pointers by guards Danny Oglesby `07 and Jonathan Han `09 sparked the 10-2 Fairfield run. Oglesby's three pointer was his first since the Fordham game on Dec. 28.
The two teams picked up the scoring, going back and forth for the next ten minutes. Both centers, Michael Haddix for Siena and Anthony Johnson for Fairfield led the way for their teams.
Haddix and Johnson traded baskets three times, until Siena began to take control heading to the end of the half.
The Saints quickened the pace and jumped out to a 33-24 lead with 1:18 left in the half as Haddix grabbed an offensive rebound and layed the ball in, giving him a game-high 14 points in the half.
The Stags cut the lead to 33-29 with a 5-0 run in the final minute, as Oglesby knocked down his second three pointer of the night and Johnson scored on the final possession to give him a team-high 12 points in the first half.
The Stags missed out on many opportunities in the first half. They shot just 13-for-30 in the first half, but Johnson was 6-for-7 from the floor.
While Fairfield turned the ball over one less time (11-10) than Siena, the Saints turned the 10 turnovers into 14 points, the Stags only had six points off of turnovers.
The Stags came out in the second half fast, as Van Schaick started to score for the first time all game. He scored four quick points on two jumpers in the first two minutes and also blocked a three pointer by Tay Fisher on the defensive end.
Siena stayed close until Fairfield went on a four minute, 11-0 run starting with a Han three pointer.
The Saints put on the pressure at the 12:44 mark, but Han dribbled through the pass, sent the ball ahead to Devin Johnson `10, who made a pass to the baseline, where Anthony Johnson drove and slammed home a one-handed dunk, igniting the Fairfield fans.
With 7:38 left in the game, Oglesby made his third three pointer of the game to make the score 58-48 Stags, but Fairfield could not keep pulling away. A 7-0 run by the Saints cut the Stags lead to 58-55 with 3:58 left.
After Han was fouled in the back court, he made one of two free throws on the double bonus. But Marty O'Sullivan `07tipped in the rebound on the miss to put the Stags up 61-57.
That lead would not last for long, as Siena came right back at Fairfield and took the lead 63-62 with 1:07 left in the game on two free throws by Alex Franklin.
Han said that this game will not hurt the Stags momentum heading into the MAAC tournament.
"Every game is a new game and we just have to get over this tough loss and test our character to see how we come back the next game," he said.
Hello from the Harbor! FU vs. Siena
Welcome to another edition of the Fairfield Mirror Glog. Tom Cleary and I are live from Harbor Yard with in-depth coverage of the game between the Siena Saints and your Fairfield Stags!
We're walking in a winter wonderland today in Fairfield - and a wonderful place is exactly what Harbor Yard is for the road weary Stags. Head Coach Ed Cooley and the boys have been on the road for three of the last four games - so I'm sure the friendly confines of Bridgeport is a welcome sight.
As for tonight's game, it's a big one between these two teams that find themselves in the upper echelon of the MAAC.
Siena sits at third with 10-5, half a game up on the Stags. The Stags are 9-6, and sit in a tie with Manhattan.
Check out the rest of the game updates on the Men's Blog!
- Keith Connors
We're walking in a winter wonderland today in Fairfield - and a wonderful place is exactly what Harbor Yard is for the road weary Stags. Head Coach Ed Cooley and the boys have been on the road for three of the last four games - so I'm sure the friendly confines of Bridgeport is a welcome sight.
As for tonight's game, it's a big one between these two teams that find themselves in the upper echelon of the MAAC.
Siena sits at third with 10-5, half a game up on the Stags. The Stags are 9-6, and sit in a tie with Manhattan.
Check out the rest of the game updates on the Men's Blog!
- Keith Connors
Men's Basketball: Fairfield Stags vs. Siena Saints
Site: The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.
Time: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (11-16, 9-6 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.9 ppg, 123 assists – Leads team with 36 steals on the year
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 15.2 ppg, 45 assists – Team-high 26 points vs. Loyola last Sunday
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 17 assists– 7 points, 3 assists last time out against Siena
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 15 points, 7 boards against Loyola
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg – 7th in MAAC in blocked shots with 1.11 per game
SIENA (15-10, 10-5 MAAC)
Ronald Moore, G, 5-11, Fr., 7.2 ppg, 111 assists – Shooting .356 from behind the arc
Kenny Hasbrouck, G, 6-3, So., 16.1 ppg, 67 assists – Notched team-high 23 points in last outing vs. Fairfield
Michael Haddix, C, 6-6, Sr., 16.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg – 24 points, 10 rebounds on Sunday against St. Peter’s
Edwin Ubiles, F, 6-7, Fr., 11.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg – 25 steals on the year
David Ryan, F, 6-7, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 7 points, 2 boards on Sunday vs. Saint Peter’s
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Marching On: The Saints have won four straight and currently lead the MAAC in scoring offense with 75.1 ppg. However, the team’s four wins — two against Iona and two against St. Peter’s — came against squad’s ranked ninth and tenth in the MAAC, respectively. Momentum is momentum though, so look for Siena to come out charging.
Defense, Defense, Defense: Fairfield enters the game coming off another huge win Sunday against Loyola. Fairfield currently leads the MAAC in scoring defense, allowing the opposition to net only 64.9 ppg. Look for Fairfield to be unfazed by Siena’s offensive prowess, as the Stags have played some of their best basketball against teams with high scoring averages.
-Frank Romano
Time: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (11-16, 9-6 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.9 ppg, 123 assists – Leads team with 36 steals on the year
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 15.2 ppg, 45 assists – Team-high 26 points vs. Loyola last Sunday
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 17 assists– 7 points, 3 assists last time out against Siena
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 15 points, 7 boards against Loyola
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg – 7th in MAAC in blocked shots with 1.11 per game
SIENA (15-10, 10-5 MAAC)
Ronald Moore, G, 5-11, Fr., 7.2 ppg, 111 assists – Shooting .356 from behind the arc
Kenny Hasbrouck, G, 6-3, So., 16.1 ppg, 67 assists – Notched team-high 23 points in last outing vs. Fairfield
Michael Haddix, C, 6-6, Sr., 16.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg – 24 points, 10 rebounds on Sunday against St. Peter’s
Edwin Ubiles, F, 6-7, Fr., 11.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg – 25 steals on the year
David Ryan, F, 6-7, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 7 points, 2 boards on Sunday vs. Saint Peter’s
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Marching On: The Saints have won four straight and currently lead the MAAC in scoring offense with 75.1 ppg. However, the team’s four wins — two against Iona and two against St. Peter’s — came against squad’s ranked ninth and tenth in the MAAC, respectively. Momentum is momentum though, so look for Siena to come out charging.
Defense, Defense, Defense: Fairfield enters the game coming off another huge win Sunday against Loyola. Fairfield currently leads the MAAC in scoring defense, allowing the opposition to net only 64.9 ppg. Look for Fairfield to be unfazed by Siena’s offensive prowess, as the Stags have played some of their best basketball against teams with high scoring averages.
-Frank Romano
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Spring Sports Look Ahead: Baseball Picked 8th in Preseason Poll
The MAAC Preseason Poll ranked Fairfield 8th this year in conference play.
Like men's basketball, the baseball team has a slew of talented young players.
In addition to 11 returning players, the Stags will have 17 new players. The majority of the newcomers are freshmen, but there are also several transfers.
Fairfield kicks off its season in Florida on March 3 against Delaware State.
-Frank Romano
Like men's basketball, the baseball team has a slew of talented young players.
In addition to 11 returning players, the Stags will have 17 new players. The majority of the newcomers are freshmen, but there are also several transfers.
Fairfield kicks off its season in Florida on March 3 against Delaware State.
-Frank Romano
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Women Fall To Canisius, 74-64
The women’s basketball team fell to Canisius, 74-64, on Sunday during the final game of the season in Alumni Hall.
The opening segment of the game made it seem as though the Stags would roll right over the Golden Griffins.
With 12:08 left in the first half, Fairfield led 18-4 and had all the momentum. Yet, Canisius was able to battle back despite the 24-12 Fairfield lead. The Griffs went on a 15-4 run to cut the lead to one with two minutes left.
The Stags were able to stretch their lead back to five with a little over a minute left. Neither team could hit a basket for the rest of the half until the final seconds.
With 11.0 on the clock, the Stags inbounded the ball, but sophomore guard Megan Caskin was called for traveling with 5.3 left, giving Canisius one last chance.
The Griffs capitalized on it, as freshman guard Brittane Russell banked a three pointer as time expired, forcing the Stags to go into the half with only a two-point lead, 32-30.
For the half, the Stags limited Canisius to 35.7 percent shooting while shooting 56.5 percent themselves. They also out-rebounded the Griffs 17-13. Sophomore Baendu Lowenthal was perfect from the field, going six of six for 12 points.
However, the second half would be much worse for the Stags.
Foul trouble limited many of Fairfield’s players and Canisius was in the bonus with 11:36 left in the second half.
Lowenthal, Stephanie Geehan ‘10, and Meka Werts ‘08 each had four fouls and Caskin fouled out at the end of the game.
Head coach Dianne Nolan recognized that the foul trouble affected the Stags' play.
“We had certain players in foul trouble like Megan and B. Megan runs the plays for us and B is one of our leading scorers, we have to play a little differently,” she said.
During the second half, the Stags also slipped on defense. Fairfield allowed Canisius to shoot 53.8 percent from the field and sent the Griffs to the line 19 times, where they hit 14.
“Our defense can only hold for so long,” said Nolan. “We couldn’t score when we needed to.”
However, Werts scored a team-high 18 points along with Lowenthal, who also put in 18. No other Stag reached double figures.
“Our offense comes from our defense. We know what we need to do to win,” said Werts.
“We always like playing in front of all the fans here. We love playing here, but I wish we could have given our fans a W,” she said.
A strong effort by the Stags' frontcourt in the first half was limited in the second half, as Fairfield ended up being out-rebounded 32-30 for the game.
Geehan was the Stags' leading rebounder, pulling down nine, while also swatting away four shots, providing a low post presence.
Fairfield falls to 13-12 overall and 9-5 in the MAAC, while Canisius improves to 13-12 and 5-9 in the MAAC.
MAAC games are increasingly important as the Stags battle for the second spot in the conference. Both Iona and Loyola won to improve to 10-4 in the MAAC, dropping the Stags one game behind both the Greyhounds and the Gaels for second place.
The standings make Fairfield’s next game even more important. The Stags play Iona at the Arena at Harbor Yard. A win would put the Stags in good position to lock up the number two seed in the MAAC.
-Chris Simmons
The opening segment of the game made it seem as though the Stags would roll right over the Golden Griffins.
With 12:08 left in the first half, Fairfield led 18-4 and had all the momentum. Yet, Canisius was able to battle back despite the 24-12 Fairfield lead. The Griffs went on a 15-4 run to cut the lead to one with two minutes left.
The Stags were able to stretch their lead back to five with a little over a minute left. Neither team could hit a basket for the rest of the half until the final seconds.
With 11.0 on the clock, the Stags inbounded the ball, but sophomore guard Megan Caskin was called for traveling with 5.3 left, giving Canisius one last chance.
The Griffs capitalized on it, as freshman guard Brittane Russell banked a three pointer as time expired, forcing the Stags to go into the half with only a two-point lead, 32-30.
For the half, the Stags limited Canisius to 35.7 percent shooting while shooting 56.5 percent themselves. They also out-rebounded the Griffs 17-13. Sophomore Baendu Lowenthal was perfect from the field, going six of six for 12 points.
However, the second half would be much worse for the Stags.
Foul trouble limited many of Fairfield’s players and Canisius was in the bonus with 11:36 left in the second half.
Lowenthal, Stephanie Geehan ‘10, and Meka Werts ‘08 each had four fouls and Caskin fouled out at the end of the game.
Head coach Dianne Nolan recognized that the foul trouble affected the Stags' play.
“We had certain players in foul trouble like Megan and B. Megan runs the plays for us and B is one of our leading scorers, we have to play a little differently,” she said.
During the second half, the Stags also slipped on defense. Fairfield allowed Canisius to shoot 53.8 percent from the field and sent the Griffs to the line 19 times, where they hit 14.
“Our defense can only hold for so long,” said Nolan. “We couldn’t score when we needed to.”
However, Werts scored a team-high 18 points along with Lowenthal, who also put in 18. No other Stag reached double figures.
“Our offense comes from our defense. We know what we need to do to win,” said Werts.
“We always like playing in front of all the fans here. We love playing here, but I wish we could have given our fans a W,” she said.
A strong effort by the Stags' frontcourt in the first half was limited in the second half, as Fairfield ended up being out-rebounded 32-30 for the game.
Geehan was the Stags' leading rebounder, pulling down nine, while also swatting away four shots, providing a low post presence.
Fairfield falls to 13-12 overall and 9-5 in the MAAC, while Canisius improves to 13-12 and 5-9 in the MAAC.
MAAC games are increasingly important as the Stags battle for the second spot in the conference. Both Iona and Loyola won to improve to 10-4 in the MAAC, dropping the Stags one game behind both the Greyhounds and the Gaels for second place.
The standings make Fairfield’s next game even more important. The Stags play Iona at the Arena at Harbor Yard. A win would put the Stags in good position to lock up the number two seed in the MAAC.
-Chris Simmons
Half-time Update; Stags Lead 24-20
Fairfield has allowed Loyola to climb back into this game and the Stags head into the half with just a four point lead. The Stags led by as much as 13, 24-11, with 6:50 left in the half, but a nine point run by the Greyhounds to end the half brought Loyola back into the game.
The Stags are led by Michael Van Schaick, who has 9 points and Greg Nero who has 7 points.
Loyola is led by Gerald Brown who has 10 points to lead all scorers. Only three Greyhounds have scored in the game, as Marquis Sullivan has 7 points and Omari Isreael has 3.
The Greyhounds shooting has improved slightly, but is still a very low 27.3 percent. Fairfield has dropped its percentage throughout the game and it now sits at 34.6%. The Stags are also just 3-for-8 from beyond the three point arc, with Van Schaick scoring two of the three and O'Sullivan adding the third.
Fairfield has fewer turnovers and more rebounds than Loyola. The Stags are outrebounding the Greyhounds 16-15. Fairfield has 6 turnovers (5 coming in the final 7:43) while Loyola has 11 turnovers. The Stags have turned those turnovers into 11 points.
More to come in the second half.
-Tom Cleary
The Stags are led by Michael Van Schaick, who has 9 points and Greg Nero who has 7 points.
Loyola is led by Gerald Brown who has 10 points to lead all scorers. Only three Greyhounds have scored in the game, as Marquis Sullivan has 7 points and Omari Isreael has 3.
The Greyhounds shooting has improved slightly, but is still a very low 27.3 percent. Fairfield has dropped its percentage throughout the game and it now sits at 34.6%. The Stags are also just 3-for-8 from beyond the three point arc, with Van Schaick scoring two of the three and O'Sullivan adding the third.
Fairfield has fewer turnovers and more rebounds than Loyola. The Stags are outrebounding the Greyhounds 16-15. Fairfield has 6 turnovers (5 coming in the final 7:43) while Loyola has 11 turnovers. The Stags have turned those turnovers into 11 points.
More to come in the second half.
-Tom Cleary
Starting lineups
Game time seems to have been delayed by at least ten minutes, so with nothing else better to do, I'll pot the starting lineups for this afternoons game.
Stags go with their normal lineup:
G Jonathan Han
G Devin Johnson
G Michael Van Schaick
F Greg Nero
F Anthony Johnson
For Loyola:
G Gerald Brown
G brett Harvey
G Marquis Sullivan
F Omari Isreal
F Josko Alujevic
The Mirror's own editor-in-chief Ben Doody can be heard on WVOF and WGCH along with Bob Huessler for this afternoon's game.
More updates on the men's basketball blog as the game gets under way.
-Tom Cleary
Stags go with their normal lineup:
G Jonathan Han
G Devin Johnson
G Michael Van Schaick
F Greg Nero
F Anthony Johnson
For Loyola:
G Gerald Brown
G brett Harvey
G Marquis Sullivan
F Omari Isreal
F Josko Alujevic
The Mirror's own editor-in-chief Ben Doody can be heard on WVOF and WGCH along with Bob Huessler for this afternoon's game.
More updates on the men's basketball blog as the game gets under way.
-Tom Cleary
Stags take 5th and 7th in the MAAC
This weekend’s MAAC Swimming and Diving Championship, held in Baltimore, Maryland, came to a close with the Fairfield falling considerably below the top spot.
Although not for lack of effort, the Stags only managed to place 5th out of 10 on the women’s side and a lowly 7th out of 8 on the men’s.
In spite of the team’s mediocre performance as a whole, several individuals stepped up and made great strides in their own events.
Once again Drew Kingman ’09 shined, ripping his 10th school record to pieces with a time of 2:09:62 in the 200 breaststroke. He also worked in conjunction with Matt Rimmer, Matt Kozlowski and Tom McGonigle to break the school record in the 400 yard free relay.
For the women, Brittany Hunter ’07 took third in three different events while Liz Lawlor ’08 snagged a 5th place finish in the 200 breaststroke and Jennifer Masi ’07 took 8th in the 100 free.
Kingman, Hunter, Lawlor and Masi all qualified in their respective events for the ECAC Championships, which will be held next weekend.
-Michelle
Although not for lack of effort, the Stags only managed to place 5th out of 10 on the women’s side and a lowly 7th out of 8 on the men’s.
In spite of the team’s mediocre performance as a whole, several individuals stepped up and made great strides in their own events.
Once again Drew Kingman ’09 shined, ripping his 10th school record to pieces with a time of 2:09:62 in the 200 breaststroke. He also worked in conjunction with Matt Rimmer, Matt Kozlowski and Tom McGonigle to break the school record in the 400 yard free relay.
For the women, Brittany Hunter ’07 took third in three different events while Liz Lawlor ’08 snagged a 5th place finish in the 200 breaststroke and Jennifer Masi ’07 took 8th in the 100 free.
Kingman, Hunter, Lawlor and Masi all qualified in their respective events for the ECAC Championships, which will be held next weekend.
-Michelle
Welcome from Reitz Arena
Welcome from Reitz Arena as the Loyola band begins to play behind me. Should be a great game today between the Stags and Greyhounds as Fairfield attempts to defeat Loyola for the second time in a week.
30 minutes to game time and the building is starting to fill.
A few pre-game notes:
It's Coaches vs. Cancer weekend and Coach Cooley and staff are wearing sneakers as part of it.
The Stags looked lively and ready to come out strong during warm-ups. This team is looking to bounce back from the loss to Marist and continuing to move down the stretch to the MAAC tournament.
Fairfield has won 9 of the last 10 games against Loyola in the series.
Jonathan Han has 200 career assists in 54 games (3.7 assits per game). With 30 more assists he can move into the top 10 for single-season assists. Tyquawn Goode and Johnnie Jones each have 17 assists in a season. He is currently third in the MAAC, averaging 4.5 assist per game.
Check the men's basketball blog for live coverage during the game.
-Tom Cleary
30 minutes to game time and the building is starting to fill.
A few pre-game notes:
It's Coaches vs. Cancer weekend and Coach Cooley and staff are wearing sneakers as part of it.
The Stags looked lively and ready to come out strong during warm-ups. This team is looking to bounce back from the loss to Marist and continuing to move down the stretch to the MAAC tournament.
Fairfield has won 9 of the last 10 games against Loyola in the series.
Jonathan Han has 200 career assists in 54 games (3.7 assits per game). With 30 more assists he can move into the top 10 for single-season assists. Tyquawn Goode and Johnnie Jones each have 17 assists in a season. He is currently third in the MAAC, averaging 4.5 assist per game.
Check the men's basketball blog for live coverage during the game.
-Tom Cleary
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Women’s Basketball: Fairfield Stags vs. Canisius Golden Griffins
Site: Alumni Hall, Fairfield, Conn.
Time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (13-11, 9-4 MAAC)
STAGS’ PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name Pos. Ht. PPG RPG APG Notes
4 Lauren Groom G 5-11 5.1 2.8 0.8 Shooting 47% last five games
11 Megan Caskin G 5-8 3.0 2.7 3.2 10 assists in last three games
15 Sabra Wrice G 5-8 14.7 4.9 2.5 Shooting 57% last seven games
32 Stephanie Geehan F 6-0 6.0 6.7 0.8 18 boards in last two outings
40 Baendu Lowenthal F 6-0 11.0 6.0 1.3 12.8ppg, 9.8 rpg last four outings
CANISIUS (4-9, 12-12 MAAC)
GRIFFS’ PROBABLE STARTERS
Pos. No. Player Yr. Notes
F 11 Abby Radunske Sr. Has double digits in six of the last eight games
C 31 JJ Williams R-So. Made first career start Feb. 1, at home
G 1 Brittané Russell Fr. Ranks second in the league in steals/game
G 12 Amanda Cavo So. Made her 50th career start Feb. 3
G 23 Jessie Lamparski Sr. Has played in every game of her college career
-Mary Therese
Time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (13-11, 9-4 MAAC)
STAGS’ PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name Pos. Ht. PPG RPG APG Notes
4 Lauren Groom G 5-11 5.1 2.8 0.8 Shooting 47% last five games
11 Megan Caskin G 5-8 3.0 2.7 3.2 10 assists in last three games
15 Sabra Wrice G 5-8 14.7 4.9 2.5 Shooting 57% last seven games
32 Stephanie Geehan F 6-0 6.0 6.7 0.8 18 boards in last two outings
40 Baendu Lowenthal F 6-0 11.0 6.0 1.3 12.8ppg, 9.8 rpg last four outings
CANISIUS (4-9, 12-12 MAAC)
GRIFFS’ PROBABLE STARTERS
Pos. No. Player Yr. Notes
F 11 Abby Radunske Sr. Has double digits in six of the last eight games
C 31 JJ Williams R-So. Made first career start Feb. 1, at home
G 1 Brittané Russell Fr. Ranks second in the league in steals/game
G 12 Amanda Cavo So. Made her 50th career start Feb. 3
G 23 Jessie Lamparski Sr. Has played in every game of her college career
-Mary Therese
Men's Basketball: Fairfield Stags at Loyola Greyhounds
Site: Reitz Arena, Baltimore, Md.
Time: Sunday, 4 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (10-16, 8-6 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.9 ppg, 117 assists – Notched 19 points against Loyola on Monday
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.8 ppg, 42 assists – Team-high 24 points vs. Marist on Thursday
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 15 assists– Tied for 3rd on the team with 17 steals
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg – Notched double figures in scoring the last 2 games
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg – 13 points, 4 boards against the Red Foxes
LOYOLA (14-10, 10-4 MAAC)
Gerald Brown, G, 6-4, Jr., 22.0 ppg, 66 assists – Leads MAAC in scoring
Brett Harvey, G, 6-0, Fr., 7.0 ppg, 105 assists – 5 points, 5 boards against Canisius on Friday
Marquis Sullivan, G, 6-1, So., 13.5 ppg, 22 assists – Notched 13 points against Fairfield on Monday
Omari Isreal, F, 6-8, Jr., 9.2 ppg, 6.o rpg – 12 points, 10 boards vs. Canisius
Josko Alujevic, F, 6-7, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg – 12 points, 6 boards vs. the Stags the last time out
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
LOYOLA’S OFFENSE: Loyola is currently fourth in scoring in the MAAC with 70.4 ppg.
However, last time out against the Stags, the Greyhounds managed only 62 points. Given Fairfield’s suffocating defense, look for Loyola to come out with an equally intensive offense.
FEAR THE DEER: Fairfield entered Thursday’s game at Marist riding a wave of confidence. Despite the one-point loss, the Stags left with that same feeling. They came into a packed Marist gym, showed no signs of intimidation, and coolly went on to outplay the Red Foxes for most of the game. Look for the same intensity level and strong play as Fairfield takes on Loyola at the Greyhounds’ home turf.
-Frank Romano
Time: Sunday, 4 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (10-16, 8-6 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.9 ppg, 117 assists – Notched 19 points against Loyola on Monday
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.8 ppg, 42 assists – Team-high 24 points vs. Marist on Thursday
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 15 assists– Tied for 3rd on the team with 17 steals
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg – Notched double figures in scoring the last 2 games
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg – 13 points, 4 boards against the Red Foxes
LOYOLA (14-10, 10-4 MAAC)
Gerald Brown, G, 6-4, Jr., 22.0 ppg, 66 assists – Leads MAAC in scoring
Brett Harvey, G, 6-0, Fr., 7.0 ppg, 105 assists – 5 points, 5 boards against Canisius on Friday
Marquis Sullivan, G, 6-1, So., 13.5 ppg, 22 assists – Notched 13 points against Fairfield on Monday
Omari Isreal, F, 6-8, Jr., 9.2 ppg, 6.o rpg – 12 points, 10 boards vs. Canisius
Josko Alujevic, F, 6-7, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg – 12 points, 6 boards vs. the Stags the last time out
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
LOYOLA’S OFFENSE: Loyola is currently fourth in scoring in the MAAC with 70.4 ppg.
However, last time out against the Stags, the Greyhounds managed only 62 points. Given Fairfield’s suffocating defense, look for Loyola to come out with an equally intensive offense.
FEAR THE DEER: Fairfield entered Thursday’s game at Marist riding a wave of confidence. Despite the one-point loss, the Stags left with that same feeling. They came into a packed Marist gym, showed no signs of intimidation, and coolly went on to outplay the Red Foxes for most of the game. Look for the same intensity level and strong play as Fairfield takes on Loyola at the Greyhounds’ home turf.
-Frank Romano
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Fairfield streak ends in heartbreaking fashion
Fairfield loses 65-64 on last second free throws from Marist's Smith. After a missed game winning shot, Smith got the rebound and scored, but the basket was waved off because it came after the clock. But a foul was called on Fairfield. Smith hit one of two free throws to give Marist the win. Herbie Allen drew an offensive foul the series before, but Fairfield could not score on the other end, setting up a last second shot for Marist.
The streak ends at 7, but I think this game establishes Fairfield as a legitimate contender, if that was not already known.
More later.
Frank Romano will be at practice tomorrow to give you insider details on the Stags.
-Tom Cleary
The streak ends at 7, but I think this game establishes Fairfield as a legitimate contender, if that was not already known.
More later.
Frank Romano will be at practice tomorrow to give you insider details on the Stags.
-Tom Cleary
Stags and Marist Tied at 60
Jonathan Han steals the ball from Whittington, drives the court and slams down a one handed dunk to break 58 all tie and make it 60-58.
Marist tied it right away on the other end with 4:10 to go.
Nero came up with a steal with under 4 to go, but Fairfield could not score. Marist gets a rebound and calls timeout.
-Tom Cleary
Marist tied it right away on the other end with 4:10 to go.
Nero came up with a steal with under 4 to go, but Fairfield could not score. Marist gets a rebound and calls timeout.
-Tom Cleary
Marist retakes lead 58-56
Stags have given up six point lead and now trail with about 6 minutes to go.
-Tom Cleary
-Tom Cleary
Stags leading by two
After being down by as many as 11 in the second half, Fairfield has climbed back to take the lead 50-45 with 11 minutes to go in the game. The Stags are on a 21-5 run. Michael Van Schaick is heating up and has scored 20 points in the game, 13 in the second half.
No turnovers for Fairfield in the half and is shooting 57%.
-Tom Cleary
No turnovers for Fairfield in the half and is shooting 57%.
-Tom Cleary
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Men's Basketball: Fairfield Stags at Marist Red Foxes
Site: The McCann Center, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Time: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (10-15, 8-5 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.8 ppg, 111 assists – Team-high 19 points on Monday against Loyola
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.4 ppg, 40 assists – 8th in the MAAC in scoring
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.8 ppg, 15 assists– 2 boards, 1 assist against the Greyhounds
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg – Leads team with 30 blocks on the year
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg – 12 points, 10 rebounds on Monday
MARIST (17-7, 9-4 MAAC)
Will Whittington, G, 6-3, Sr., 17.7 ppg, 41 assists – 32 points in Monday’s win against Rider
Jared Jordan, G, 6-2, Sr., 18.6 ppg, 200 assists – Leads MAAC in apg with 8.70
James Smith,C, 7-0, Sr., 11.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg – 11 points, 3 rebounds on Monday
Ryan Stilphen, F, 6-8, Jr., 10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg – Led team in rebounding in 2 of last 5 games
Ben Farmer, F, 6-5, Jr., 6.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg –10 points, 8 boards vs. the Broncs
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
MARIST MALAISE?: Once believed to be unstoppable in the conference, Marist has lost three of its last six games. Two of those losses came against teams Fairfield beat. On Monday, the Red Foxes barely pulled off a win against Rider, ultimately winning by one.
LUCKY SEVEN: Fairfield enters Thursday’s game coming off a seven-game winning streak. On Monday, the Stags beat top-ranked Loyola. If you think Fairfield is satisfied, think again. The Stags are hungry for more.
-Frank Romano
Time: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (10-15, 8-5 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.8 ppg, 111 assists – Team-high 19 points on Monday against Loyola
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.4 ppg, 40 assists – 8th in the MAAC in scoring
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.8 ppg, 15 assists– 2 boards, 1 assist against the Greyhounds
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg – Leads team with 30 blocks on the year
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg – 12 points, 10 rebounds on Monday
MARIST (17-7, 9-4 MAAC)
Will Whittington, G, 6-3, Sr., 17.7 ppg, 41 assists – 32 points in Monday’s win against Rider
Jared Jordan, G, 6-2, Sr., 18.6 ppg, 200 assists – Leads MAAC in apg with 8.70
James Smith,C, 7-0, Sr., 11.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg – 11 points, 3 rebounds on Monday
Ryan Stilphen, F, 6-8, Jr., 10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg – Led team in rebounding in 2 of last 5 games
Ben Farmer, F, 6-5, Jr., 6.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg –10 points, 8 boards vs. the Broncs
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
MARIST MALAISE?: Once believed to be unstoppable in the conference, Marist has lost three of its last six games. Two of those losses came against teams Fairfield beat. On Monday, the Red Foxes barely pulled off a win against Rider, ultimately winning by one.
LUCKY SEVEN: Fairfield enters Thursday’s game coming off a seven-game winning streak. On Monday, the Stags beat top-ranked Loyola. If you think Fairfield is satisfied, think again. The Stags are hungry for more.
-Frank Romano
Monday, February 5, 2007
Stags Upset First Place Loyola For Seventh Straight Win
With 2:57 remaining in the game, the Stags six game winning streak was in serious jeopardy. Fairfield (10-15, 8-5 MAAC) trailed 62-52 to Loyola (MD) (13-10, 9-4 MAAC), the first place team in the MAAC. Then sophomore point guard Jonathan Han took over, starting a game winning run with a three pointer, leading to a 65-62 Stags victory.
Han led the Stags on a 13-0 run to close out the game, scoring 10 of those points himself to finish with a team-high 19 points. But it was a play on the defensive end that was the biggest of the game. With 38 seconds left in the game, Han took a charge from Brett Harvey and then knocked down the game winning three pointer on the other end.
As the Stags headed onto the court for the playing of the Fairfield Alma Mater, Head Coach Ed Cooley yelled to the students in front of him “THIS IS OUR HOUSE!”
“We were down by 14 and our kids didn’t quit,” said Head Coach Ed Cooley. “It’s not what the coach draws up with every time, it’s how your kids execute. Once we got into a little rhythm and changed the tempo, we felt we had a little more swagger.”
“Herbie made a great play, drawing two players away and he found me on the wing,” Han said when asked about the final three point shot. “I had a lot of confidence after my first three late in the second half. I had enough confidence to take the shot and thank God it went in.”
The win increased the Stags winning streak to seven games, the most the team has won since 1985-86, when they also won seven straight.
The Stags wanted to get off to a good start and while they headed into the half with a slim 31-30 lead, they still had a lot of room for improvement. Fairfield shot just 10-for-30 from the floor and an even worse 3-for-12 from beyond the three point line.
Senior guard Michael Van Schaick got off to a slow start, but heated up towards the end of the half, when he knocked down a three pointer with 2:56 left in the half for his seventh point of the half. He would go into the locker room with the team scoring lead, nine points. He would finish with 12 points.
On the defensive end Fairfield was more successful. The Stags held Gerald Brown, the eighth best scorer in the nation, who averages 22.5 points per game to only five points on 2-for-9 shooting. Brown would finish with just 13 points. As a team Loyola shot 39.3 percent on the game, better than Fairfield’s 36.8 percent.
“The played a box and one, it was the first time we saw it,” said Cooley, “I thought it staggers us a little bit, in the first half, we still had a one point lead. We made a few adjustments at the half.”
The adjustments didn’t help the Stags get off to a good start in the second half, as they failed to score for the first six minutes. Loyola jumped out to a 39-31 lead, which the Stags cut to 39-33 with 14 minutes left in the game.
The Greyhounds continued to extend their lead and with 10:13 remaining they were up by a commanding 14 points, 54-40. As Cooley called a timeout in frustration, Loyola Head Coach Jimmy Patsos pumped his fists in celebration to the small group of fans behind their bench.
The momentum shifted to the Stags side when Loyola’s Omari Isreal was called for a technical foul, leading to four points for Fairfield. The Stags had two chances to cut the lead to six, but failed both times and when Loyola pulled the lead back to ten with three minutes to go, the game seemed over once again.
But then the Fairfield defense stepped up, forcing four straight turnovers that allowed the Stags to get back into the game and eventually win.
The Stags outrebounded Loyola 37-32, as Anthony Johnson `10 finished with 10 rebounds to go along with 12 points and Marty O’Sullivan `07 pulled down nine boards.
“I saw a Fairfield team really pick up their energy. When they are looking at me in the huddle and salivating, and saying yeah coach, I start looking at them and saying yeah guys,” said Cooley, “That’s all it really was, the energy, the momentum shifted and we were very fortunate.”
“Now we look forward to Marist [Thursday night]. Go home and watch a ton of tape and get ready,” added Cooley. “That’s what you do, you scout, you coach, you play, kiss your wife and tell your kids you love them.”
For more on the game, check out the men's basketball blog and as always, www.fairfieldmirror.com.
Next up: Marist, Thursday night.
-Tom Cleary
Han led the Stags on a 13-0 run to close out the game, scoring 10 of those points himself to finish with a team-high 19 points. But it was a play on the defensive end that was the biggest of the game. With 38 seconds left in the game, Han took a charge from Brett Harvey and then knocked down the game winning three pointer on the other end.
As the Stags headed onto the court for the playing of the Fairfield Alma Mater, Head Coach Ed Cooley yelled to the students in front of him “THIS IS OUR HOUSE!”
“We were down by 14 and our kids didn’t quit,” said Head Coach Ed Cooley. “It’s not what the coach draws up with every time, it’s how your kids execute. Once we got into a little rhythm and changed the tempo, we felt we had a little more swagger.”
“Herbie made a great play, drawing two players away and he found me on the wing,” Han said when asked about the final three point shot. “I had a lot of confidence after my first three late in the second half. I had enough confidence to take the shot and thank God it went in.”
The win increased the Stags winning streak to seven games, the most the team has won since 1985-86, when they also won seven straight.
The Stags wanted to get off to a good start and while they headed into the half with a slim 31-30 lead, they still had a lot of room for improvement. Fairfield shot just 10-for-30 from the floor and an even worse 3-for-12 from beyond the three point line.
Senior guard Michael Van Schaick got off to a slow start, but heated up towards the end of the half, when he knocked down a three pointer with 2:56 left in the half for his seventh point of the half. He would go into the locker room with the team scoring lead, nine points. He would finish with 12 points.
On the defensive end Fairfield was more successful. The Stags held Gerald Brown, the eighth best scorer in the nation, who averages 22.5 points per game to only five points on 2-for-9 shooting. Brown would finish with just 13 points. As a team Loyola shot 39.3 percent on the game, better than Fairfield’s 36.8 percent.
“The played a box and one, it was the first time we saw it,” said Cooley, “I thought it staggers us a little bit, in the first half, we still had a one point lead. We made a few adjustments at the half.”
The adjustments didn’t help the Stags get off to a good start in the second half, as they failed to score for the first six minutes. Loyola jumped out to a 39-31 lead, which the Stags cut to 39-33 with 14 minutes left in the game.
The Greyhounds continued to extend their lead and with 10:13 remaining they were up by a commanding 14 points, 54-40. As Cooley called a timeout in frustration, Loyola Head Coach Jimmy Patsos pumped his fists in celebration to the small group of fans behind their bench.
The momentum shifted to the Stags side when Loyola’s Omari Isreal was called for a technical foul, leading to four points for Fairfield. The Stags had two chances to cut the lead to six, but failed both times and when Loyola pulled the lead back to ten with three minutes to go, the game seemed over once again.
But then the Fairfield defense stepped up, forcing four straight turnovers that allowed the Stags to get back into the game and eventually win.
The Stags outrebounded Loyola 37-32, as Anthony Johnson `10 finished with 10 rebounds to go along with 12 points and Marty O’Sullivan `07 pulled down nine boards.
“I saw a Fairfield team really pick up their energy. When they are looking at me in the huddle and salivating, and saying yeah coach, I start looking at them and saying yeah guys,” said Cooley, “That’s all it really was, the energy, the momentum shifted and we were very fortunate.”
“Now we look forward to Marist [Thursday night]. Go home and watch a ton of tape and get ready,” added Cooley. “That’s what you do, you scout, you coach, you play, kiss your wife and tell your kids you love them.”
For more on the game, check out the men's basketball blog and as always, www.fairfieldmirror.com.
Next up: Marist, Thursday night.
-Tom Cleary
LIVE from the Harbor: Stags vs. Loyola
Hello from Harbor Yard! Tonight we've got quite a contest as the Fairfield Stags, riding a six-game winning streak, battle the Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds, the MAAC's top team.
Tom and I are here courtside covering one of the biggest games of the season - arguably one of the most important games the the Stags have been faced with all season.
For the live game log from yous truly, including live game updates and in-game analysis, follow the Men's Basketball Blog!
- Keith Connors
Tom and I are here courtside covering one of the biggest games of the season - arguably one of the most important games the the Stags have been faced with all season.
For the live game log from yous truly, including live game updates and in-game analysis, follow the Men's Basketball Blog!
- Keith Connors
Men's Basketball: Fairfield Stags vs. Loyola Greyhounds
Site: The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.
Time: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (9-15, 7-5 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.3 ppg, 109 assists – Leads team in assists
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.5 ppg, 39 assists – Team-high 25 points vs. Canisius last Friday
Devin Johnson, G, 6-4, Fr., 2.9 ppg, 14 assists– 14 steals on the year
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg – Leads team with 56 offensive rebounds
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg – 13 points, 3 boards against Canisius
LOYOLA (13-9, 9-3 MAAC)
Gerald Brown, G, 6-4, Jr., 22.1 ppg, 62 assists – 44 steals on the year
Brett Harvey, G, 6-0, Fr., 7.0 ppg, 94 assists – Leads squad in assists
Marquis Sullivan, G, 6-1, So., 13.4 ppg, 21 assists – Team-high 18 points against Marist last Saturday
Omari Isreal, F, 6-8, Jr., 9.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg – 2nd on the team with 15 blocks
Josko Alujevic, F, 6-7, Sr., 7.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg – 12 points, 4 boards vs. the Red Foxes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
STAYING AFLOAT: Despite losing two of its last five games, Loyola is still in first place in the MAAC. However, after Saturday’s loss to Marist, the Greyhounds lead by only one game. Loyola will fight to the end this Monday, but it will have to go through a red-hot Fairfield squad.
SIX IN A ROW: Fairfield enters Monday’s game coming off a six-game winning streak. On Friday, the Stags beat Canisius for the second time this season. Look for Fairfield to come out especially strong on Monday, since the Stags have home-court advantage. So far this season in conference play, Fairfield is a solid 4-2 in the Nutmeg State.
-Frank Romano
Time: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (9-15, 7-5 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.3 ppg, 109 assists – Leads team in assists
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.5 ppg, 39 assists – Team-high 25 points vs. Canisius last Friday
Devin Johnson, G, 6-4, Fr., 2.9 ppg, 14 assists– 14 steals on the year
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg – Leads team with 56 offensive rebounds
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg – 13 points, 3 boards against Canisius
LOYOLA (13-9, 9-3 MAAC)
Gerald Brown, G, 6-4, Jr., 22.1 ppg, 62 assists – 44 steals on the year
Brett Harvey, G, 6-0, Fr., 7.0 ppg, 94 assists – Leads squad in assists
Marquis Sullivan, G, 6-1, So., 13.4 ppg, 21 assists – Team-high 18 points against Marist last Saturday
Omari Isreal, F, 6-8, Jr., 9.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg – 2nd on the team with 15 blocks
Josko Alujevic, F, 6-7, Sr., 7.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg – 12 points, 4 boards vs. the Red Foxes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
STAYING AFLOAT: Despite losing two of its last five games, Loyola is still in first place in the MAAC. However, after Saturday’s loss to Marist, the Greyhounds lead by only one game. Loyola will fight to the end this Monday, but it will have to go through a red-hot Fairfield squad.
SIX IN A ROW: Fairfield enters Monday’s game coming off a six-game winning streak. On Friday, the Stags beat Canisius for the second time this season. Look for Fairfield to come out especially strong on Monday, since the Stags have home-court advantage. So far this season in conference play, Fairfield is a solid 4-2 in the Nutmeg State.
-Frank Romano
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Women Rebound, Defeat Rider 73-57
The women’s basketball team came into Sunday’s game looking to rebound from a tough loss to Manhattan on Friday night.
The Stags went on the road down to Lawrenceville, NJ and notched their 500th win as a program, winning 73-57 over Rider.
Fairfield is now 500-394 all-time in 33 years of existence. The win raises their record to 12-11 overall and 8-4 in the MAAC, keeping the Stags in third place in the conference. Rider fell to 1-22 overall and 0-12 in the MAAC.
The game was close through most of the first half, but Fairfield ended the half on a 7-0 run to increase their lead to 37-22.
The success continued into the second half with the Stags increasing their lead to 24 with 14:10 left to play, 53-29.
Sophomore Baendu Lowenthal led the Stags with 17 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds to record her fifth double-double of the season.
Meka Werts ’08 was the only other Stag in double figures with 10 points. However, once again the Stags had a balanced attack as Sabra Wrice ’08 and Cara Murphy ’07 both had nine, while Lauren Groom ’09 and Stephanie Geehan ’10 each put in eight points as well.
As a team, Fairfield shot 49.1 percent from the floor, but also turned the ball over 22 times.
Despite these some offensive miscues, the Stags defense played well, rebounding from an ugly game against Manhattan. Fairfield forced 23 turnovers, including 19 steals. The Stags also held Rider scoreless for 4:25 in the first half, which allowed them to open up their lead.
Rider shot only 33.3 percent from the floor for the game, including a miniscule 24.1 percent in the first half.
Surprisingly, the teams nullified each other on the boards with both teams pulling down 37 each.
Up next for the Stags on Tuesday is Manhattan, who recently upset Fairfield in Alumni Hall.
-Chris Simmons
The Stags went on the road down to Lawrenceville, NJ and notched their 500th win as a program, winning 73-57 over Rider.
Fairfield is now 500-394 all-time in 33 years of existence. The win raises their record to 12-11 overall and 8-4 in the MAAC, keeping the Stags in third place in the conference. Rider fell to 1-22 overall and 0-12 in the MAAC.
The game was close through most of the first half, but Fairfield ended the half on a 7-0 run to increase their lead to 37-22.
The success continued into the second half with the Stags increasing their lead to 24 with 14:10 left to play, 53-29.
Sophomore Baendu Lowenthal led the Stags with 17 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds to record her fifth double-double of the season.
Meka Werts ’08 was the only other Stag in double figures with 10 points. However, once again the Stags had a balanced attack as Sabra Wrice ’08 and Cara Murphy ’07 both had nine, while Lauren Groom ’09 and Stephanie Geehan ’10 each put in eight points as well.
As a team, Fairfield shot 49.1 percent from the floor, but also turned the ball over 22 times.
Despite these some offensive miscues, the Stags defense played well, rebounding from an ugly game against Manhattan. Fairfield forced 23 turnovers, including 19 steals. The Stags also held Rider scoreless for 4:25 in the first half, which allowed them to open up their lead.
Rider shot only 33.3 percent from the floor for the game, including a miniscule 24.1 percent in the first half.
Surprisingly, the teams nullified each other on the boards with both teams pulling down 37 each.
Up next for the Stags on Tuesday is Manhattan, who recently upset Fairfield in Alumni Hall.
-Chris Simmons
Women Rebound, Defeat Rider 73-57
The women's basketball team rebounded from a tough loss on Friday to Manhattan by beating Rider today, 73-57.
The Stags were lead by Baendu Lowenthal '09, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season by scoring 17 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds.
For more coverage, check back here later and of course, www.fairfieldmirror.com
-Chris Simmons
The Stags were lead by Baendu Lowenthal '09, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season by scoring 17 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds.
For more coverage, check back here later and of course, www.fairfieldmirror.com
-Chris Simmons
Friday, February 2, 2007
Stags top Canisius, 67-63
The Fairfield Men's basketball team began the night with plenty of momentum. Following their Friday night victory, they'll head back home from Buffalowith even more following their win over a hot Canisius team, 67-63. The Stags are now in the thick of the top MAAC teams and find themselves in a three-way tie with Sienna and Niagra at 7-5).
Michael Van Schaick led the way with 25 points.
Check back for post-game comments and a recap later.
- Keith Connors
Michael Van Schaick led the way with 25 points.
Check back for post-game comments and a recap later.
- Keith Connors
Final Score MAN 74, FU 61
The women fell to Manhattan tonight, 74-61. Check back soon for a complete game recap and additional coverage here and on fairfieldmirror.com
-Chris Simmons
-Chris Simmons
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Men's Basketball: Fairfield Stags at Canisius Golden Griffins
Site: Koessler Athletic Center, Buffalo, N.Y.
Time: Friday, 7 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (8-15, 6-5 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.5 ppg, 104 assists – 3rd in the MAAC in apg with 4.52
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.1 ppg, 38 assists – Shooting .400 from behind the arc
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.9 ppg, 13 assists– 3 points, 4 rebounds vs. Niagara last Sunday
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg – 16 points, 7 boards and 4 blocks against Niagara
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg – 24 blocks on the year
CANISIUS (11-10, 6-5 MAAC)
Frank Turner, G, 5-10, Fr., 10.7 ppg, 117 assists – 11 points, 10 rebounds on Monday vs. Iona
Jovan Robinson, G, 6-1, Fr., 6.2 ppg, 29 assists – Notched 3 points against the Gaels
Menghe a’Nyam, F, 6-5, Fr., 2.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg – Led team in rebounding (7) last week against a tough Marist squad
Corey Herring, F, 6-5, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg – 16 steals on the year
Darnell Wilson, F, 6-6, Sr., 13.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg – 22 points, 12 boards against Iona
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
MAAC GRIDLOCK: Both Fairfield and Canisius stand at 6-5 in the MAAC, along with three other teams. As we near the final leg of the regular season, every game is important. Each team knows what is on the line, so look for flat-out intensity for 40 straight minutes.
FIVE ON FIVE: Both Fairfield and Canisius enter Friday’s game coming off five-game winning streaks. Fairfield had a great last outing against Niagara, while Canisius had a decisive victory against Iona. Look for both squads to capitalize on momentum swings.
-Frank Romano
Time: Friday, 7 p.m.
FAIRFIELD (8-15, 6-5 MAAC)
Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 6.5 ppg, 104 assists – 3rd in the MAAC in apg with 4.52
Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 14.1 ppg, 38 assists – Shooting .400 from behind the arc
Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.9 ppg, 13 assists– 3 points, 4 rebounds vs. Niagara last Sunday
Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 7.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg – 16 points, 7 boards and 4 blocks against Niagara
Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg – 24 blocks on the year
CANISIUS (11-10, 6-5 MAAC)
Frank Turner, G, 5-10, Fr., 10.7 ppg, 117 assists – 11 points, 10 rebounds on Monday vs. Iona
Jovan Robinson, G, 6-1, Fr., 6.2 ppg, 29 assists – Notched 3 points against the Gaels
Menghe a’Nyam, F, 6-5, Fr., 2.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg – Led team in rebounding (7) last week against a tough Marist squad
Corey Herring, F, 6-5, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg – 16 steals on the year
Darnell Wilson, F, 6-6, Sr., 13.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg – 22 points, 12 boards against Iona
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
MAAC GRIDLOCK: Both Fairfield and Canisius stand at 6-5 in the MAAC, along with three other teams. As we near the final leg of the regular season, every game is important. Each team knows what is on the line, so look for flat-out intensity for 40 straight minutes.
FIVE ON FIVE: Both Fairfield and Canisius enter Friday’s game coming off five-game winning streaks. Fairfield had a great last outing against Niagara, while Canisius had a decisive victory against Iona. Look for both squads to capitalize on momentum swings.
-Frank Romano
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