Stags in the Pros
Every fall the Fairfield University women's soccer team hosts a
Senior Day at its final home game of the season. For most
players, it marks the final time they will put on a soccer uniform.
But for a select few, it has become a transitional event.
Robyn Decker '09, Ahna Johnson '09 and Brett Maron '08 have all
continued their playing careers after their 
competitive days at Fairfield ended - and done so with great
success.
Maron started her career in Iceland in the summer of 2008 and moved onto the top league in Sweden this season. Her coach in Iceland, Gareth O'Sullivan, was hired by a premier team in Sweden and had two keepers, but recommended Maron to other teams in the league. Based on that recommendation, she was picked up.
"We are starting to not only have a reputation of developing a strong program here, but now have the reputation of developing players that can continue their careers at the next level." said Fairfield Head Coach Jim O'Brien. "That is a great benefit in our recruiting. In talking to potential student-athletes, we are able to show them that playing at Fairfield can get them recognized as potential players at the next level and help them achieve that goal."
Decker and Johnson were found in part because of Maron. A former coach of Stags assistant coach Laura Duncan, Tanja Pihlblad, came to see Maron play during her senior season, and was impressed by the play of Decker and Johnson. That visit resulted in the signing of the two Stags to play for the same team - Vittsj GIK, in Division I South league, the second highest level league in Sweden.
"Having Robyn on the team has made the adjustment to playing here much easier," said Johnson. "It was hard in the beginning because Swedish is spoken at practice and in the locker room. It can be overwhelming, so having Robyn in the same situation, makes me feel like I have someone to talk to and it is really great."
Both players have seen success in helping Vittsj GIK to a top-third finish in the league. Decker and Johnson have garnered attention from teams in the top league, (Damallsvenska) and are weighing their future playing options. Regardless of their continued professional careers, they plan on being in Orlando in late October to support the current Stags as they defend their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title.
Decker, Johnson and Maron were all members of the Stags 2005 squad, which became the first team in league history to win the tournament title as the number-five seed. The 2009 conference championship returns to the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex from October 29 through November 2. Click here for more information on the women's soccer program as they continue their quest to defend their conference title.
