Stony Brook
The Good: Stony Brook is 5-2 all-time against Fairfield. Sophomore Mike Rooney led the team with 34 goals and 47 points last year, earning America East Rookie of the Year. Rooney also led the team last year with three goals in Stony Brook’s season opener vs. Fairlfield last year.
The Bad: Despite a bid into the NCAA Tournament and a loss to Hopkins, Stony Brook will have to acknowledge Fairfield record-setting 2012 season being over looked. They will come out hungry. Fairfield is 11 in the NCAA preseason poll, Stony Brook is 35.
The Ugly: Their last win over Fairfield was in 2001.
Fairfield
The Good: Fairfield hasn’t lost to Stony Brook since 2001 (granted, there were ten year’s between victories). Sam Snow is now a senior, and led with five goals against Stony Brook last year and finished the season as one of the top ten scorers in the ECAC.
The Bad: Stony Brook is the reigning conference champion, and nobody likes to lose their home opener, especially when it is at home.
The Ugly: The lack of acknowledgement for season success creates an enormous amount of pressure to prove their worth in 2013 from day one.
My pick to win: Fairfield, but Rooney will prove to be a big contributor in the game for Stony Brook. I think Snow will demonstrate senority and leadership to help pull out the win.
