Note: Fairfield University Athletics is celebrating the accomplishments of 2012 by highlighting the top 12 stories of the calendar year. Today, we unveil the number one story in our count down. We hope you enjoy looking back on another exciting year of Stags sports. For the complete list of top stories, click here.


FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Michael O'Keeffe receives the top spot in the Fairfield University Athletics 12 for '12 count down after spending the summer as the starting goalkeeper for the New Zealand Olympic Team. The Christchurch native started every game for New Zealand during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

O'Keeffe gained international experience throughout the spring and summer, playing with the New Zealand U-23 team and also earning time with the New Zealand National Team. He joined the All Whites in the Solomon Islands as the team participated in the Oceania Nations Cup. He did not appear in any games, but was available to play in the tournament.

The goalkeeper did see action during Olympic qualification matches, getting the nod against Tonga.

"It is the ultimate to represent your country at an international tournament," O'Keeffe said. "It was an honor to hear the national anthem before the game and realize that you are playing for your country."

Later in the summer, he played 30-plus minutes in an Olympic warm up game against the Korea Republic. The game was the second of three warm ups that the New Zealand Olympic team will play before heading to London for the Summer Olympic Games later this month. Korea Republic won the contest by a 2-1 count, three days after the Oly Whites tied Japan at 1-1.

He took over for injured starting goalkeeper Jake Gleeson in the 58th minute and yielded one goal and made a couple of saves. The appearance was O'Keeffe's first international cap which led to his starting role in the Olympic Games.

O'Keeffe earned accolades from around the globe for his play in his three games for the Oly Whites. New Zealand owned a 0-2-1 record through group play. The goalkeeper was lauded for several critical saves that have kept the team in both games - a 1-0 loss to Belarus in the opener and a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the second outing. Bleacher Report placed O'Keeffe on its Best XI from the first round of men's soccer matches in the 2012 Olympics.

He enjoyed a solid season during the 2012 campaign for Fairfield University, finishing his career among the career leaders in shutouts and goals against average. O'Keeffe collected first team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) honors for the fourth time in his career.

O'Keeffe remains active with the athletics program as a student broadcaster with WVOF 88.5 FM. He also served as the sideline reporter for the men's basketball game against Drexel which aired on SportsNet New York (SNY).