Stags Off to Fast Start

The Stags may have lost two of its top players, Alex Cunliffe and Mike Troy, from last season's MAAC Championship team, but they have reloaded and are again showing why they are one of the top soccer programs in the country.

Sam Bailey '08

Fairfield, picked to win the MAAC conference again this season, has started 2-0 with wins over St. John's and Buffalo.

Head Coach Carl Rees brought in another strong recruiting class, including Canadian Todd Rutledge, who scored his first goal in a 2-1 victory over formerly No. 17 St. John's this past weekend. Joining Rutledge in the freshmen class at Matthew Uy, the brother of sophomore Christian Uy, who has played for the US U-17 National team. Uy picked up his first point as a member of the Stags, assisting on Rutledge's goal.

Back Jack Cleverly, Rees' latest import from England, has also played a significant role in the first two games.

The Stags have received strong play from senior Sam Bailey, who has scored game-winning goals in both games played. Fellow senior J.P. Francini has also had a solid start, allowing just one goal to St. John's and picking up a shutout against Buffalo.

Fairfield will travel to Boston College on September 7 for a tough matchup, before returning home for its home opener against Yale on September 15 at Lessing Field.

-Tom Cleary

Braz signs with Toronto FC

A Stag soccer player has joined a MLS team. But it is not Alex Cunliffe. Cunliffe was not selected today in the supplemental draft. His chance of a pro career are not over by any means, as there is still the possibility of a free agent signing, as well as spending time in other leagues.

Defenseman Adam Braz knows a lot about playing in other leagues. The 2001 graduate has become the first Fairfield graduate to join a MLS squad by signing a deal with Toronto FC, the newest MLS club.

The Montreal born Braz is one of the first three free agent signings in the team's history. Braz has played in the past for the Montreal Impact of the USL and also in Sweden with Vasteras SK. Braz helped lead the Impact to a USL Championship in 2004.

The 25 year old Braz, who was an All-MAAC defender in 2000, was the best defensive player on the Impact for the past three seasons.

"As a Canadian, you always want to play at the highest possible level in North America and play at home," Braz said in a press release from Toronto FC. "We never had an opportunity until now with Toronto FC because MLS is the highest level here in North America. It's an extremely big opportunity for Canadians to be able to have a team like Toronto FC."

"It's a Canadian backfield," said his new coach Mo Johnston said. "The fans have got to be happy with that. I'm certainly delighted with it because it doesn't take a lot of tinkering in the preseason. When you get guys of this caliber on board, that's tremendous. I'm absolutely thrilled to have every single one of them on board."

Where will Cunny fall?

Is Cunny a first round pick? Probably not. You have to figure ACC and ECAC teams will produce more first round players. So where will he fall? Probably in a later round. Thoughts...?