FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University's 2018-19 athletic season will officially commence when the Fairfield University Women's Soccer team heads to LIU Field to take on LIU Brooklyn on Friday at 11am. The contest will also open up the David Barrett era as the 17-year coaching veteran will lead his first game as the head coach of the Stags.
 
THE 2018 SEASON: The Stags were picked to finish sixth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Poll with sophomore forward Alex Madden earning a spot on the conference's preseason team. Madden was the MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year after netting a team-high seven goals during her freshman campaign. The 2018 season is also the first one under Head Coach David Barrett who coached 17 years and won 234 games at Illinois Wesleyan. Barrett was awarded the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Coach of the Year award five times and reached the NCAA ten times.
 
FORWARDS: Madden headlines the returning strikers as her seven scores as a rookie was the most by a Stag freshman since 2007. Along with Madden, the Stags return the scorers of 17 of their 18 goals from last season showing their potential offensively up front. Senior tri-captain Sara Plowman scored four goals in 2017 while sophomore striker Liz Dumas tallied two scores and recorded an assist. The Stags will also have some new faces in the attacking half with freshmen Stephanie Tsangaris and Erika Breitfeller joining the group. Sophomore Nicole Stryjek will also take the field after sitting out last year with injury.
 
MIDFIELDERS: The midfield is arguably the deepest spot for the Stags who will be guided by seniors Holly Habyan and Maggie Walsh. The Stags will also return experienced contributors in Julia McGuire and Julia Kleczkowski, who both touched net last season. Gabby Diodati, who lead the team with four assists, will return with another year of experience along with Shannon Ryan who scored a goal and recorded a helper during her rookie campaign. Junior Jenn Wahlig mostly played in the back four for Fairfield last year but also saw time in the midfield and tallied an assist. Fairfield will add freshmen Amy Akerley, Brooke Hernon, and Hanley Courter who all look to make an impact in their first collegiate season.
 
DEFENDERS: Two of Fairfield's three captains will anchor the back four in senior Jenny Jacobs and junior center back Melanie Hingher. Jacobs, who was known for her speed up front, had converted to the position late last year. The Stags will also return senior Alana Leahy, who missed the final five games of the year with injury. Seniors Tessa Pedevillano and Taylor Psirogianes, and junior Alexa DiComitis will add more experience to the group. Fairfield will also welcome freshmen Alexis Mason, Lexi Lehan, and Jenn Bonifazio.
 
GOALKEEPERS: The Stags will return senior Megan DeFeo who started 12 games for the Stags in 2017 and picked up 52 saves. Fairfield will also add freshman Aytana Muschajew who will be looking to make an immediate impact. Junior Bre Cocuzzo will return for her third season after posting a perfect 2-0 record last year.
 
THE LIU BROOKLYN SCOUTING REPORT: The Blackbirds were picked to finish seventh in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Preseason Poll and will return nine starters and 18 letterwinners. The squad will also bring back senior Aline Allmann who posted a 1.21 goals against average and a .846 save percentage in 2017.
 
UP NEXT: The Stags will travel to Hempstead, N.Y., on Sunday at 1pm to challenge the reigning Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Champions Hofstra.