Coming off its first winning season in four years and its best-ever finish in the ECAC Lacrosse League, second-year head coach Andrew Copelan has the Fairfield University men's lacrosse team on the field and looking for more.  The Stags began fall practice on September 10 and will have six weeks of five-a-day fall-ball practices as they look to build on the steps the program made last season.

"I'm proud of our 2009 season," said Copelan, "and we all miss our graduated seniors.  But we are focusing on the upcoming season, the current team and on continuing to build on the progress that we have made."

Fairfield has 28 letter winners returning from last year's team that posted a 7-6 record and finished in third place in the ECAC.  Of those players, seven started at least six games, including three of the five Stags that started every contest.  The Stags return eight of their top 10 offensive players from a year ago, including leading scorer, and All-ECAC Rookie Team selection, Brent Adams (16 G, 11A).  Fairfield lost 10 letter winners, including the graduation of four-year starters Chris Ajemian, Matt Petre and Billy Honovich.

"We lost some great players and terrific leaders to graduation," said Copelan.  "But we have a good balance of seasoned returners and new faces who seem hungry to prove themselves.  Thus far we have been encouraged by our improved depth, our player development and our overall athleticism."

Fairfield will face new challenges during the 2010 season as the ECAC Lacrosse League has added several top-notch programs.  The University of Denver, Ohio State University, Air Force Academy, Quinnipiac University and Bellermine University join Loyola University Maryland, Hobart College and the Stags to makeup one of the most competitive leagues in the nation.  In addition the Stags are finalizing a non-conference schedule that will have the Stags competing with national powers as well as local rivals.

The Stags will be playing in only one fall ball tournament this season, but it is a highly anticipated event.  For the first time the five Connecticut Division I lacrosse programs will play at the Connecticut Cup on Sunday, October 18.  The event will be held at Yale University with matchups and game times to be announced in early October.

"The Connecticut Cup will be a great event for lacrosse in the state and we are thrilled to be a part of it," Copelan said.  "It will be a good test of our team's growth, maturation and chemistry.  The day will undoubtedly reveal a lot about ourselves and we are excited about the challenge."

Stag fans will be able to catch-up with the current roster of players the following weekend, October 24 at the Alumni Game.  The coaches and players will be present at 2:30 p.m. as they watch former Stag greats face-off in the annual Alumni Game.