With the arrival of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play for the Stags, Fairfield Men’s soccer looks to continue its momentum from its non-conference play with a mix of young talent and new arrivals from the transfer portal.
After a disappointing season last year, Coach Krystian Witkowski’s Stags look to flip the script with the arrival of promising new transfers and new freshmen.
Fairfield finished the season last year with a 3-9-5 record, only winning games against Columbia, Marist and Sacred Heart University. The Stags failed to make the playoffs last season, finishing in 10th in the MAAC standings.
Witkowski is coming into his second season as head coach for the team, bringing large amounts of D1 soccer experience from multiple schools, including Northwestern and Army. Witkowski described his coaching structure for the team as not having a strict formation and it was more about creating chances on the pitch and putting pressure on the opposing teams.
Fairfield and Witkowski were very busy in the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in many key acquisitions that have already impacted the team. Players like Evan Chomow, the first-year goalkeeper from New Jersey Institute of Technology, have already improved the squad.
Chomow has recorded two clean sheets and 26 saves through six games while only allowing five goals. Junior defender Cole Dougherty from Saint Louis University has already started in six games, showing elite defensive prowess.
Fairfield wasn’t just active in the transfer portal, they also recruited extremely well. Alex Vaz has led the charge for the incoming first-years, leading the team in goals with three and showing off promising ability, especially when he creates room to shoot the ball.
Other first-years like Sean Albritton, Jahmani Stapelton and Pipeloore Olanrewaju have shown incredible ability in big moments with the Stags so far this season. Witkowski spoke about these players, saying that they saw the vision of our program and how much they’re valued here. He also added that these guys are the future of the program.
The Stags were predicted to finish eighth in the MAAC this season by the other coaches in the conference. Even though they’ve been doubted, Fairfield is extremely confident with Head Coach Krystian Witkowski saying that their goal for this season is to win the MAAC championship and that on their best day, they can beat anyone they’re put up against.
Veterans like seniors William Pierce and Jordan Blunschi are being relied upon to lead the young players around them to the promised land. Pierce was the leading scorer for the Stags last season and is the captain for this season.
“Having guys like Will and the rest of the upperclassmen around has been a huge help,” Vaz said about Pierce and other veterans on the team. “Being able to look up to players who already have that experience has allowed me to learn so much, both on and off the field.”
Blunschi is one of the returning starters on the defensive side of the field. Blunschi is a nightmare for opposing players to get into the box, showing elite ball tracking ability throughout his time here. Other key players include Junior Cameron Gerber, who leads the team in assists so far this season with four.
The key for Fairfield this season is to have its young core of strikers step up and meet the level of play required of them. The Stags will need production from their bench and have people who can affect the tempo of the match. The Stags play their best soccer when they have a fast tempo and can cause chaos on the pitch.
Fairfield has opened up the season so far 3-2-1,(1-0), with key wins coming against Army, Niagara and Monmouth. Monmouth is predicted to finish second in the CAA this year.
Fairfield’s next game is against defending national champions Vermont on Saturday Sept. 20 at 6pm at Lessing Field. Vermont is currently ranked 13th in the nation and has a record of 3-0-2.