EDISON, N.J. – The Fairfield University men's golf team has been named the favorite in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, as voted upon in the MAAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. The Stags tee off their spring season on March 7-8 at the Lonnie Barton Invitational in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Fairfield garnered a conference-best 66 points in the poll; the Stags were one of six teams to earn a first-place vote on the ledger.

Defending MAAC Champion Saint Peter's took second place with 64 points, following a third-place tie featuring Iona and Siena with 58 points apiece. Monmouth, Rider, Canisius, Manhattan and Niagara round out the nine-team poll.

The Stags' fall slate was highlighted by their first-ever ECAC Championship, which they won by a single stroke over Bryant. Fairfield was led on the course by freshman Kevin Duncan – the individual ECAC Champion who was tabbed as MAAC Golfer of the Month in both September and October. Eric Austin was one shot back of Duncan's pace at the ECAC Championship to join him on the All-Championship Team.

The 2016 MAAC Championship will return to Disney's Magnolia Golf Course in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on April 22-24.