FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Women's Basketball Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis was named one of five finalists for the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year announced today. "Coach Carly" has helped the Stags to a first-place standing in the MAAC with a perfect 18-0 record while holding a 24-3 overall mark, the 14th-highest winning percentage in the nation.
 
"She deserves this recognition not just because of her exceptional coaching skills but also because of her remarkable character," team captain Izabela Nicoletti Leite said. "She dedicates countless hours nurturing relationships with her players, laying the foundation for a strong team bond. I often joke that she's like a second mother to me, and I genuinely mean it. She reignited my passion for the game, and this award serves as a testament to her exceptional talent."
 
"We couldn't be happier for her!" senior captain Lauren Beach said. "As a team we think she deserves all the praise in the world. The way that she pushes us to be better on the court, but also has such close relationships with us off the court is so special. I think I can speak for the team to say we're very proud but also not surprised for her to get this recognition."
 
Coach Carly has guided the Stags to one of the best all-around team in the mid-major world as they lead the MAAC in 10 different statistical categories including: scoring defense (53.9), scoring margin (20.9), 3-pointers per game (9.0), 3-point percentage defense (.266), assists per game (18.1), assist-turnover ratio (1.34), and field goal percentage (.474).
 
With Fairfield's perfect 18-0 record in the conference, the squad has clinched at least a share of the Regular Season Championship for the second-straight season and the third time in the last four years. Fairfield's 18-game winning streak is the fifth-longest active streak in the country.
 
Dating back to last season, the Stags have won 41-straight games against MAAC competition, the second-longest streak in MAAC history and the fourth-longest active streak in Division I.
 
Fairfield is also tied for the national lead with 12 road victories. They have combined for 27 true road wins over the last two years, the most in the country.
 
Among those wins was the program's first-ever win over a SEC team as they defeated Arkansas 81-67 to open up the season. Fairfield also collected a road win over ACC member Wake Forest with a 72-65 victory in November. The Stags also picked up the program's first-ever win over Villanova with a 74-71 win at Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
 
Fairfield has found all this success while weathering several injuries throughout the year. Last year's MAAC Player of the Year Janelle Brown is the most notable on the injury front as she has missed all 18 conference games after an injury sustained against Villanova. The Stags were also without key transfers Jillian Huerter and Sydni Scott for the majority of the non-conference slate.
 
In her three seasons, Coach Carly has amassed a 70-20 overall record and her .778 winning percentage is the 13th-best among all active Division I head coaches.
 
Coach Carly and the Stags will look to clinch the MAAC Regular Season Championship and the top-seed in the upcoming MAAC Championships in a nationally televised game against Siena tonight at 7pm on ESPNU.