Fairfield Mirror 4/16/2014

THE MIRROR Student newspaper

Week of April 16, 2014

Vol. Vol.39, 38,Iss. Iss.25 23

www.fairfieldmirror.com @fairfieldmirror The Fairfield Mirror

$10 M donation will partially fund new RecPlex

By Christina Mowry Assistant News Editor Last week an alumnus and trustee gave a monumental $10 million donation exclusively intended to partially fund the proposed renovation and expansion of the Quick RecPlex.

However, the project, estimated to cost $20 million, is pending additional finances and approval from the board of trustees.

The $10 million gift came from John C. Meditz ‘70, managing director, co-founder, and senior portfolio manager of Horizon Ki-

netics, LLC, and member of Fairfield’s board of trustees. Meditz has made large contributions in the past, including a $2.5 million gift which funded the Bellarmine Museum of Art in addition to numerous contributions which created student scholarships.

According to a university press release, the renovation plans for the RecPlex include the addition of an indoor track, air-conditioned field house and additional floor space for sports programs.

Swimming and diving locker rooms and multi-purpose exercise

rooms will be modernized. The new building will be 11,000 square feet larger and two stories tall.

The renovated field house will also be utilized by varsity athletics when needed, according to Reed.

According to Reed’s statement, “our tennis teams go offcampus to practice indoors during the winter or other times of inclement weather. We would like these teams to be able to practice on campus, so a permanent or temporary floor that is suitable for indoor tennis will be considered.”

Thomas Pellegrino, vice pres-

ident for student affairs stated that “we want a facility that is competitive with what students see at other campuses. Meditz’s extraordinary donation could not come at a better time.”

According to the press release, schematic plans are complete and all approvals have been granted from the Town of Fairfield, however additional fundraising is necessary for the project to become a reality.

“When we [have] a funding plan in place, we will complete the remaining construction plans and

seek the approval of the Board of Trustees,” stated Mark Reed, senior vice president for administration.

In a university press release, Meditz expressed the importance of investing in nonexistent or outdated facilities. Both Reed and Pellegrino agreed, and recognized the crucial role Fairfield’s many recreational facilities play in maintaining Fairfield’s reputation.

Reed stated: “Ideally, we would like to see all or most of the remaining funds need[ed] come READ

RECPLEX ON PAGE 3

Yale chaplain to speak at graduation

By Shauna Mitchell Editor-in-Chief

By Jennifer Calhoun Executive Editor On April 10, Fairfield announced that Yale University Chaplain Sharon M.K. Kugler will be the commencement speaker for the undergraduate class of 2014.

According to a university press release, Kugler is the first ever female, first Catholic and first layperson to be Yale’s chaplain.

Kugler transferred to Yale in 2007 after working as the university chaplain for Johns Hopkins since 1993, and is currently a member of the executive committee of the International Association of Chaplains in Higher Education.

As chaplain, Kugler’s role is to support and guide students spiritually, which she may do through community activities and personal counsel.

According to the press release, “Her main focus at Yale is ... serving the needs of the richly diverse religious and spiritual traditions on campus allowing for deeper dialogue, increased accessibility, personal growth, creative educational opportunities and pastoral leadership.”

While Kugler does have the religious connection to Fairfield, some seniors said they wish there would be a more recognizable name standing behind the podium next month.

“I would have preferred an [alumnus] or like a cool celebrity … someone I had known or like could have done a simple Google search on,” said Brian Gillespie ‘14.

No matter who gives the address, Gillespie said he already knows what he wants to hear at graduation.

“I’d want [the commencement READ

KUGLER ON PAGE 4

Jesse Erickson / The Mirror

DPS on bike patrol monitors students participating in “Around the World” near the Townhouses 5 block.

Fairfield travels ‘Around the World’ Mirror Staff Report

Despite controversy and prohibition from the administration, the members of the junior class gathered in the Townhouses area Saturday to celebrate their annual “Around the World” event.

The event endured for several hours before the flags and costumes were retired. Following tradition, Townhouses represented countries from all over the world.

Dean of Students Karen Donoghue, in cooperation with Residence Life and Department of Public Safety, said she was unable to work with students to plan this event with university sponsorship.

According to Donoghue, “There were two different meetings that tried to bring student leaders that had come forward as potential people to kind of run the event to kind of monitor the event in the sense that we fence off the area, we still allow outdoor drinking,

but to sort of control the area,” however she was not directly involved in this process until after any plans to cooperate with students had fallen through.

After the event’s failure to gain university sponsorship, anonymous

ghue, the university decided that additional ResLife staff and DPS should be present to help monitor the event, even though it was not university sponsored.

“At no point am I saying that students have no right to socialize and I

I think a lot of people get along with Public Safety, but it’s frustrating to have them around ... but of course they have to watch out for us and make sure we’re safe.

- Sean McDermott ‘15 members of the class of 2015 organized the event a through a Facebook page, where Townhouses could decide what country they would represent.

Donoghue said the Dean of Students’ Office “had reason to believe that even though we asked them not to run it, they were going to run it,” so when the Around the World Facebook page was forwarded to Dono-

clearly articulate that but they have to adhere to policies and unless they’re working in the parameters of the institution in a controlled environment, they can’t drink outside.”

In addition to the regularly staffed Resident Assistants, according to Rowe-Allen, seven ResLife staff members were present and approximately three to four staff members

were not dressed in the red polos that signify an RA on duty. According to Assistant Director of Public Safety John Ritchie, DPS mandated extra staff members to work the event.

Despite Fairfield’s policy that prohibits open containers outside, students still brought solo cups, beer cans and bottles outside, which resulted in DPS alone documenting over two dozen people, according to Ritchie.

However, the problems with this year’s event went even further than violating the open container policy.

In recent years, Around the World has become a growing concern because of property damage and excessive drinking.

“It’s not the students who are drinking a beer or two that I’m concerned about, it’s the ones that are doing multiple shots, abusive consumption of alcohol that goes on, which READ

ADMINISTRATION ON PAGE 2

-Stories in our DNA, pg 7 -Softball sweeps doubleheader with Monmouth, pg 5

News

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Page 2

Administration monitors ‘Around the World’

Continued. from page 1 unfortunately includes hospital transports,” said Donoghue.

Along with medical transports, Ritchie added, “There was vandalism and there was unacceptable behavior as a result of this incident.

The townhouse residents are going to be billed for the overtime costs and the damage; our patrol car was damaged and that’s going to be a couple of thousand dollars.”

Donoghue also expressed her concern about the costumes that students wore to represent their countries.

“What I’m still concerned about is that people cross the line too quickly when they’re wearing costumes and stereotyping is wrong,” said Donoghue. “There’s a fine line with what’s politically and socially fine and what’s wrong and what’s offensive.”

Junior Paige Maloney said the administration was right to address the issue of cultural insensitivity in the email Donoghue sent, but said “that should be the extent of action taken by administration. Ultimately, students are going to dress and behave as they like.”

With the large DPS and ResLife presence at the event monitoring student behavior, some students said they became agitated because they had hoped to spend more time outside celebrating.

“I do understand why DPS and ResLife had to be at the event, but I do think sometimes it was excessive,” said Allison MacCune ‘15. “I know that from hearing stories and seeing pictures from previous years, this event was not so heavily monitored and people were allowed to celebrate outside.”

“I think a lot of people got along with public safety but it’s frustrating to have them around,” said Sean McDermott ‘15. “But of course they have to watch out for us and make sure we’re safe.”

Students said they understood that ResLife and DPS were needed because it was an event that was not supposed to take place.

“It looked as if they students were trying to push the limits of what they could get away with,” said John Scarpulla ‘15. “It’s sad because if there were better coordination between the students

Jesse Erickson / The Mirror

Students dress in costumes representing countries such as France, Italy, Fiji and Mexico. and authority, then it could have been way more lenient in terms of what could have gone on that day.”

Like Scarpulla, Donoghue too had hoped that students would have pursued a partnership between administration and the students.

“I wish the event did not happen because if I felt the event was going to be a good and safe event, then we would have partnered … the better scenario is planning for it, partnering with our students, putting in safety parameters,” said Donoghue.

Donoghue said she was at present at Around the World for a few hours, observing, watching, monitoring and making sure that it was controlled and safe. “I would applaud efforts in future years, if any students would like to work with us to organize a safe and controlled event on a beautiful spring weekend up at the Townhouses.”

Jesse Erickson / The Mirror

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

News

Page 3

RecPlex receives funding Continued. from page 1 from gifts and contributions, and we are actively working on this every day … I can say that the administration wants to move forward with the project as soon as possible since it’s such an important and needed one.” “[Having the] best facilities possible are vital to Fairfield’s profile and reputation because they help to attract and retain the best students, faculty, and staff possible, and provide the spaces that enhance the quality of academic and student life,” stated Reed.

Pellegrino echoed Reed’s statement, noting the importance of the RecPlex to the Fairfield community. He also commented on the nature of Fairfield students, describing the student body as ‘health-minded’ and ‘athleticallyinclined.’

Junior Kelly Miraglia said she is “really excited… I think it’ll be a great addition to the school. It’ll help draw in even more prospective students with a really nice facility for students to use… I think that it can only benefit the school.”

On the other hand, Anne Marie Teti ‘14 wishes the renovation could have been done sooner.

“I go pretty often to the gym and although it’s not bad, the renovations definitely would have been a great help… The weight room needs to be redone and we need more machines. I’m glad they’re finally fixing it up though,” said Teti.

According to Pellegrino, “on today’s college campus, students want to see a high quality recreational facility … that is particularly true at Fairfield, where student usage of the facility, along with participation in fitness classes, sports clubs and intramurals, tracks extremely high.”

Mirror Archives

to escape for student leaders on campus.

NSL open forum sparks debate

By Salvatore Trifilio News Editor Emeritus

On Tuesday, April 15, about 35 Fairfield students – most who had ties to either the Department of Student Programs & Leadership Development or Fairfield University’s Student Association – participated in FUSA’s presidential forum.

The open forum was the first of its kind held between the student body and SPLD concerning their code of ethics, which was brought into question by former New Student Leaders earlier this semester.

Among the notables in attendance were Kamala Kiem, assistant dean of students and director of SPLD, Alex Long ‘14 and Alex Cucchi ‘15, FUSA president and vice president respectively and Karen Donoghue, dean of students – who did not participate in the forum.

“It’s been two or three years that this conversation has consistently

Oso, Wash. - Thirty-nine people were

percolated during the spring semester, and it’s important dialogue and I don’t want to shut that down in any way,” said Kiem.

Many left feeling the dialogue was a good starting point, but just the first step of a much larger process.

“I think the important part is both sides walking away and considering the points that were made and coming back,” said Kelly Miraglia ‘15, a current FUSA member. “I think that’s the most important part,” she added, “coming back and continuing the dialogue … coming back with solutions.”

Topics discussed throughout the hour-and-a-half-long dialogue – that at times seemed to be a “congressional trial,” as one student pointed out – ranged from contracts, the creation of the NSL position, the stress on student leaders to Senior Week responsibilities, portrayal of the “Fairfield experience” and retention rates for NSL.

While the forum was a productive first step, it was dominated by circumstantial questions concerning alcohol and SPLD’s disciplinary processes, according to Long.

However, SPLD and students were able to work together to put some rumors surrounding the department to rest.

Concerning retention, Nicole Heller ‘13 of SPLD, outlined the final numbers of their selection process.

For the 2014-15 academic year, about 10 NSLs (including chairs) are returning, while the rest of the team is composed of about 82 percent rising sophomores, according to Heller.

She also noted study abroad, internships and the general rise in involvement for upperclassmen all contribute to these retention numbers.

Furthermore, the nine SPLD representatives agreed that the contract is intended for their

department and that they are “not trying to implement it in more clubs on campus.”

One student asked SPLD if they believed their code of conduct was deterring “potentially great” student leaders from applying to their position.

“I think we’ve always been selective in our process, even when I was a freshman,” said Eric Lynch ‘14, co-chair of New Student Programs.

“It’s a choice to become an NSL … we’re not going to force anyone into it,” said Heller earlier in the conversation.

Students concluded with suggestions of more transparency from SPLD and continued dialogue between the two parties.

Kiem concluded, “At the end of the day we need to have a lot more education on why we set that particular standard … engaging in further dialogue … and working to be even more transparent.”

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Crime Beat

News

Compiled by Robert Joyce

Page 4

Healy talks post-grad careers and skills

Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

Tuesday, April 8 10:47 p.m. A male student was arrested at the Townhouses 8 block by Fairfield Police for disorderly conduct after he became belligerent and unruly with officers. The student reportedly flipped a chair over, maintained a combative posture towards officers, refused to surrender, attempted to flee the scene, and was arrested, charged and referred to student conduct.

Saturday, April 12 4:52 a.m. A student reported the windshield of their car parked on Lynch Road was smashed.

5:27 p.m. A student in Clavier Hall was found in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia after a noise complaint led DPS to their room.

7:41 p.m. A female underage student at the Townhouses 1 block reported that $120 worth of alcohol was stolen from their fridge, and their townhouse has damaged walls and refrigerator.

Sunday, April 13 1:06 a.m. A residence in Townhouses 12 block was vandalized when a large rock was thrown through the kitchen window during a social gathering. Anyone with any information about this incident is strongly encouraged to contact public safety.

4:19 a.m. A residence of Townhouses 5 block reported a rock was thrown through their window.

CAU TTIO N O I N U CA

Atdhe Trepca / The Mirror

Mirror Staff Report U.S. Diplomat Martin Healy ‘85 is among Fairfield’s alumni who found great passion in their education, career and life, which he shared with Fairfield students on Monday night.

Graduating from Fairfield with a double major in politics and economics, Healy said that he realized his passion for international travel during his undergraduate years. This spanned into an early career working 15 years in the private sector and then later a career in diplomacy, for which he still works.

“It hasn’t escaped my notice that there are no other Fairfield graduates working in the Foreign Service,” said Healy in an interview before the lecture.

Healy said that Fairfield gave him skills that helped him in his career, such as being able to write well and analyze situations ethically. Additionally, he was one of the first Fairfield students to have the opportunity to study abroad, which also gave him an edge.

“If you can’t write in the Foreign Service, then you’re not getting in. That’s the bottom line,” said Healy.

“I really kind of figured out that every job I had, even the schools I went to, I always tried to go international somehow,” said Healy. “I decided, why don’t I just make international part of my life? Why don’t I use that as a vehicle and then find a job that brings me around?”

Healy had also worked in counternarcotics, counter-terrorism and was also stationed in Honduras, which he claimed was the most dangerous country in the world.

During his time in Honduras, Healy was able to create a program in which high school students were offered a monetary prize to whomever could create the most viable business plan. The program was a great success which brought together high schoolers, mainly female students, from neighboring communities. The program has since dissipated following the recent coup in Honduras.

Ten students attended the lecture, and all left with a newfound knowledge of a career in diplomacy.

Junior Kaneez Anwar appreciated Healy’s talk, especially since she is a political science and international studies

Kugler to speak at commencement

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Shauna Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Calhoun, Executive Editor Enxhi Myslymi, Managing Editor Editors Robert Joyce, News Christina Mowry, Assistant News Atdhe Trepca, Assistant News Meaghan Conlon, Opinion Loan Le, Vine Meaghan Kirby, Coffee Break Patrick Kiernan, Sports Matthew Schneider, Assistant Sports Jesse Erickson, Assistant Sports Angela Sammarone, Chief Copy Editor Tebben Gill Lopez, Visual Art Director Online Brian Arpie, Web Manager Colin Bell, Multimedia Manager Kaitlin McEwan, Online Editor Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Jake Ruskan, CFO Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

double major.

“Foreign service was not something I really previously looked into because I think I misunderstood the work that they did, and exactly how important it is to foreign policy,” said Anwar.

Senior Klevisa Kovaci, who is currently interning at the Permanent Mission of Albania to the United Nations, agreed with Anwar and felt that Healy gave an open exposition of the reality of working in diplomacy.

“He was very honest. He talked about everything: the good, the difficult, the challenges, what’s great about it, what’s rewarding,” said Kovaci.

While the students were grateful for the opportunity to have a U.S diplomat come to speak to them, students like Anwar feel that Fairfield does not offer enough opportunities like this recent lecture.

“I think Fairfield does a great job in guiding business students post-grad, but if you’re in the liberal arts … you’re kind of on your own,” said Anwar. “You have to figure out how to get a job after you graduate.”

Yale Chaplain Sharon M.K. Kugler will address the Class of 2014 next month at their graduation ceremony.

Continued. from page 1 speaker] definitely to find a way to calm me down in my post-graduation fears about you know getting a job and stuff,” he said. “I’d rather they kind of be honest about it, like but be honest on a positive note.”

Senior Amina Seyal said she was excited to hear Kugler speak, and hopes Kugler will infuse her spiritual counsel in the address.

“I feel that graduating from Fairfield upon listening to a commencement speech ... a woman who focuses much of her work on religious pluralism will be an extraordinary send-off,” she said. “I predict it’ll be representative of the many interfaith dialogues I’ve experienced here at Fairfield.”

In addition to Kugler, Fairfield alumna Mary Ann Christopher ‘79 will be delivering the commencement address for students in Fairfield’s graduate program, and Fairfield will be awarding honorary degrees to Sister Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J., the Reverend John W. Padberg, S.J. and John S. Santa, as well as Kugler and Christopher.

Ultimately, despite being unfamiliar with Kugler, Gillespie said he’s still anticipating the commencement ceremony.

“I am looking forward to this commencement speaker only because it is a part of graduation,” he said.

Opinion

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Opinion

Editor

Is a prescription drug behind the violence?

By Victoria Vesce Contributing Writer Ivan Lopez, a 34-year-old Iraq war veteran, went on a shooting spree on April 2 at Fort Hood in Texas.

He had a psychological history of depression and anxiety, and was recently being evaluated for post-traumatic stress disorder.

On Wednesday, Lopez used his .45 caliber handgun at the same Killeen post where the 2009 shooting occurred. He killed three people, wounded 16 and then took his own life.

Authorities say that at this time the cause for his rampage is still unclear.

On that morning, Lopez went to the post’s personnel office to request a leave form.

He was asked to return at a later time because there were none available.

Lopez returned and opened fire in the office.

The army came out with a statement saying, “We believe that the immediate precipitating factor was more likely an escalating argument,” referring to the disagree-

Editorial Board One Year Later Shauna Mitchell Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Calhoun Executive Editor Enxhi Myslymi Managing Editor

ment in the office over the form.

The harsh reality is that Lopez, a war hero, soldier, son, brother, husband and father, had a psychological issue that ultimately drove him to his rampage at Fort Hood.

However, many are now looking to Congress for answers as to why someone with any mental instability on their medical records would have access to weaponry in the first place.

In most cases, soldiers living on military bases are not supposed to be armed while on post.

On the contrary, they are also granted the same rights that any citizen of the United States has from the second amendment—the right to bear arms.

Commanders can ask soldiers who are at a psychological medical risk to hand over personal firearms. Why, then, was this not requested of Lopez?

In an interview with Fox News, former General Jack Keane explained that there is no direct correlation between soldiers who suffer from PTSD and misconduct.

In other words, they do not commit any more of these acts of

violence than the general public who do not suffer from PTSD. However, PTSD was not the only psychological disorder on Lopez’s doctor’s radar.

He had a history of depression and anxiety, which some of his family members connected with the recent loss of his close relatives.

Lopez’s family, specifically his father, came out with a statement saying they were all “astonished and saddened” and that his son was “not in the right mind.”

Lopez was also prescribed Ambien — a sedative — to help with insomnia.

Some side effects of Ambien include suicidal thoughts or actions, and change in behavior.

According to CNN.com, Lopez’s psychiatrist said that when he examined Lopez last month there was, “no record of any sign of likely violence.”

These “mood swings” caused

by Ambien are often sudden; and, considering Lopez left no suicide note and had no prior major warning signs of angst, I feel this medication should be investigated further. Very few articles reporting on

the incident mention the proposal that perhaps something he was prescribed triggered his rampage.

Congress is now faced with the difficult question of where to draw the line when it comes to who is and who is not mentally stable enough to hold their own firearms.

Is there a particular disorder that needs to be diagnosed before any weapons are taken from them?

If so, what behaviors are considered “most dangerous”?

In his interview, Keane asked, “How do we identify a person who has behavioral characteristics that would potentially lead to violence?”

If, in fact, there was a way to diagnose someone on a nonbiased spectrum based on their threat to others, would we have to remove them from their homes as well, considering the other everyday objects that could be used as weapons?

In the recent Pennsylvania high school stabbing, the attacker took knives from his kitchen and used them to brutally hurt his classmates.

How can we regulate such a

It’s been one year.

One year since America once again bonded together in the wake of another unspeakable tragedy that befell American citizens.

One year of preparing for the chance to show everyone that "Boston Strong" is not just a term for Bostonians, but for the whole of America to rally around.

Every person who ran among the 35,660 racers this year did more than race for themselves or loved ones.

Each person took on the memory of someone who lost their life to the tragic events that took place one year ago. Each step that was taken on the 26.2-

mile course was more than just one step closer to the finish line.

It was one step for the 264 people who were injured at the finish line and would be unable to take that step in this race.

The police, firemen and everyday citizens that day were unquestionable heroes on that day one year ago.

But so are these 35,660 people racing this year. They are doing what hundreds of thousands of Americans wish they could do for everyone affected by last year’s events.

We can get so wrapped up in the negatives that we forget that there are people out there fighting back against it.

For every story that harps on the perpetrator of a mass shooting in this country, it is not to be counted out that there were some who fought back.

They are not to be left out of the story; in fact, they should be the headline.

With this event, the heroes made headlines. Every racer that lined up at the starting line is as big of a hero as the person who crossed the finish line first.

For anyone who thought that the event would tarnish American spirit, they would have been shocked at the events this year.

Around 23,000 runners raced on that day one year ago.

common household item?

Recently, when incidents such as this one occurs, reports place their focus more on the weapon used, rather than the individual.

The importance of a psychological background check desperately needs to be emphasized.

Family background checks and psychological tests need to be routine when a United States citizen requests to exercise his or her second amendment rights.

I believe that every citizen of this country has the right to exercise what is written in the Constitution, but with caution.

Even in Texas where most people own a gun and has it on their person most times, there are strict rules practiced.

For example, before entering your workplace, you are required to check your firearm at the door.

Unfortunately, military officials make it clear that we may never know the real reason why Lopez snapped.

However, this tragic incident might have been prevented if his mental health status was more closely monitored.

This year, 13,000 more signed their names onto the list.

Do not ever count America out.

We will come back stronger than ever, and not with violence, but with solidarity to those that lost their lives over a still baffling display of savagery.

Boston, we are still here for you. The healing is a process that will never end.

The 35,660 runners have put a bandage on the still seeping wound this act left.

Fairfield sends you their thanks and admiration for lacing up your running shoes and taking those 138,336 steps to the finish line for all of us.

Page 6

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Opinion

Women carry the kiss of death in their handbags

By Meaghan Conlon Opinion Editor

“I’d kill to look like her.� A comment that any young girl has (probably) made at some point in her life when referring to someone’s flawless makeup and skin. We all want to have that perfect look: the impeccable face, mesmerizing eyes and pouty lips.

What Sharima Rasanayagam, director of science at the Breast Cancer Fund, is trying to tell young girls is that these products can, in fact, lead to an early death.

The cosmetic product than can cause the most health damage is lipstick; instead of enhancing women’s beauty, it is reducing their lifespan.

This damages the health of women the most because it is reapplied the most frequently and contains the largest amounts of lead and traces of other heavy metal substances. .FEJDBM FYQFSUT TBZ UIBU UIF only safe level of lead in the blood is no lead at all.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claims that the amount of lead in makeup, such as lipstick, is nothing to worry about and is not a safety concern for women.

I find this hard to believe as lead is an ingredient in not only lipstick, but other cosmetic products such as foundation and face creams as well.

Why should lead not be listed on the product details itself? Is it too much trouble for the FDA to lobby Congress to update the rules and regulations of the cosmetic industry?

People spend plenty of time lobbying for things that do not pose as much of a health risk, such

as regulations on washing machines in households and commercial settings.

If people, time and resources can be allocated on such trivial issues, then the FDA should take the time to save people from lead intoxication.

The FDA claims that the lead found in some lipsticks only begin to affect women who apply lipstick more than two to 14 times a day.

Women have the right to know that what they’re applying in

order to look presentable and professional can affect their physical health.

Additionally, when one uses lipstick every day over the course of their lifespan, they greatly increase the health risks they will have as they get older, such as a damaged nervous system and tumors in the stomach due to ingested toxins.

Lead is not the only metal poisoning young women who wear lipstick. Other toxic heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium,

Mass is not the ticket to Heaven

By Matthew Schneider Assistant Sports Editor Religion is often a topic of contention and as such, one that I try to avoid discussing with others.

But in this case, I feel like an exception can be made.

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, one of the most important and most holy days for members of the Catholic Church.

The story of Jesus Christ’s passion and death are told, and the congregation is encouraged to participate by reading aloud from the hymn books at the appointed times.

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I know what almost everyone will say the obvious answer is: Palm Sunday is one of the church days that everyone goes to, just like Christmas and Easter.

This, in my opinion, is where the problem lies.

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In my mind, it would be similar to not watching a single game all season long for a sport, and then tuning into the championship just because it is the most important game.

A similar example could be said of a student that skips every class except the days on which tests are scheduled, and then wonders why they receive a bad final grade.

Every time that I go to one of the “big three� .BTT EBZT * DBOOPU IFMQ CVU OPUJDF QFPQMF XIP BSF not sure what to do during the ceremony, and just stand there in silence while those around them perform the proper steps.

These people seem to be like outsiders, who are brought in against their will and don’t know how to participate. * DBO VOEFSTUBOE JG HPJOH UP .BTT PO POF PG UIFTF days is a tradition that some people do with their families, as I have many friends who do just that.

However, on a college campus where families are not around very often, it still surprises me that people feel the desire to go on these certain days, but not any others. .BZCF * TPVOE MJLF BO JOIPTQJUBCMF QFSTPO CVU I feel that people should go to church because they want to, and not just because it happens to be a certain holy day.

If they don’t want to go, that’s absolutely fine, but they shouldn’t drag themselves to these special .BTTFT PVU PG B TFOTF PG PCMJHBUJPO I may be coming off as an uncaring person in this regard, but nothing could be further from the truth. I feel that people should go to church because they care about it, and not just because they feel they have to.

manganese and aluminum were found when lipstick was chemically tested.

Lead is detrimental to the health of a person, as are the other metal materials found in lipstick.

A combination of these metals, inconsistent and unchecked, can only lead to greater physical health problems to the women who wear such products consistently.

The FDA and Congress should get involved in regulating

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the cosmetic industry by ruling that heavy metal toxicants must be listed as ingredients on the product, in order to inform women that what they are applying to their lips a dozen times a day can be harmful.

Is beauty really worth the health risks? It doesn’t need to be if regulations are created and enforced. All in all, we shouldn’t have to worry about what harm we’re doing to our bodies every time we get ready to go out.

rŃŽ FSF XBT BO BOUJ 4FNJUJD shooting in Kansas which left three people dead.

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r (BNFT PG ŃŽ SPOFT GBOT OFBSMZ "choked" in happiness after the end of Sunday's episode. Drinks all around!

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ŃŽ F .JSSPS XFMDPNFT UIF PQJOJPOT BOE DPOUSJCVUJPOT PG JUT SFBEFST -FUUFST to the editor must be timely and submitted by email to info@fairfieldmirror.com or Box AA. All letters to the editor that are appropriate will be published FJUIFS JO QSJOU PS POMJOF ŃŽ F .JSSPS SFTFSWFT UIF SJHIU UP FEJU MFUUFST BOE articles for content, length and grammatical error. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks and should contain correct and factual information not exceeding 500 words.

The Vine Stories in our DNA

arts, entertainment, features vine@fairfieldmirror.com

Dr. Spencer Wells, prominent geneticist, says DNA can trace humankind's origins.

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

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Geneticist: All human ancestry is linked

By Patrick Kiernan Sports Editor

W

hile most family trees typically consist of siblings, cousins, parents and grandparents, Dr. Spencer Wells, a leading population geneticist and anthropologist, believes that “everybody on planet Earth falls under the lines of one family tree.”

It all started with a man named Y-chromosomal Adam who lived in Africa around 60,000–90,000 years ago. According to Wells, all humans are descendents of this man.

This claim has garnered Wells much backing on his studies of genetics and answering the question of where all humans come from.

He believes that, with the study of genetics through human DNA and of Y-chromosomal Adam, he can close the gaps in our knowledge of human migration and ancestry.

“We’re really trying to piece together the story of the human journey,” said Wells, director of the Genographic Project from National Geographic and International Business Machines Corporation. “How we’re all related to each other and the story of how closely related we really are: That is the social takeaway.”

Led by Wells, the Genographic Project has gathered more than 660,000 participants who are willing to have their DNA tested. ings all around the world to gain more support, even speaking at a 2007 TED Conference about human diversity.

Wells spoke at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts this past Thursday, closing the Open Visions Forum series for this school year.

As said in the lecture entitled “The Human Journey: A Genetic Odyssey, ” this National Geographic explorer-in-residence believes that by studying humankind’s family tree, he can answer many of life’s questions. of approximately 150 people: “Are we all related to each other?” and, “Where did we originate?” The answer to these, he said, can be seen in DNA. DNA is a nucleic acid that encodes the genetics used in the development and functioning of all living organisms. A basic sample of DNA can help any human trace his or her ancestry.

“In every generation, all of the genome information from the DNA has to be copied to be passed on,” said Wells. “Humans are, in fact, 99.9 percent identical at the DNA level.

Wells has traveled all around the world to take DNA samples to help trace ancestry. He’s gone to Asia and Africa and his genetic studies in Africa led him to the Saharan Gateway theory.

Wells stated that humans originated in sub-Saharan Africa and by analyzing DNA from

people in all regions, Wells was led to the country of Chad in Africa in 2005, where the Genographic Project began.

Here, he learned about the many different languages that are spoken and studied human diversity in the country.

He collected vast amounts of DNA and was able to trace what may be Y-chromosomal Adam, the oldest ancestor of humans.

“This is a sign that at some point in the past, this [African] region was a little bit more inhabitable,” said Wells. “What today is a very inhospitable desert might have been a nicer place several thousand years ago.”

The next topic explaining human ancestry that Wells discussed was climate change.

About 50,000 years ago, the sub-Saharan Africans started migrating to southern Africa and the Middle East.

However, just 10,000 years later, these people started moving back to sub-Saharan Africa.

This trend continued every tens of thousands of years with just some ancestors vastly moving locations. Wells believes that this trend has to do with weather.

“Is climate change the major determinant of ancient migration routes?” Wells asked. “Probably so; that seems to be the case.”

To further answer such questions, Wells hopes that the Genographic Project will allow him to trace these ancestors and their migration routes as far back as possible. He has already gathered much support from 140 countries and has gotten $2.2 million in grants from donors.

“We use genetics to study the details of these migratory routes, but beyond that, there’s a message which is that we’re all much more closely related than you might have suspected,” said Wells about the Genographic Project. “We’re making use of the latest technology to do this, but we can’t predict [the future] with any degree of certainty.”

“I liked his emphasis on how we’re all really connected,” said audience member Chris Van Akin ’16 about Dr. Wells’ discussion. “It makes you really think that we, as a species, are much more connected than a lot of us tend to think. I’m surprised by the amount of evolution we’ve had over the years.”

“I’m a biology major, so a lot of these things have come up in my classes,” said Gresi Kello ‘14. “I was expecting more of the hard-hitting science, but he is coming from an anthropological background. I still thought all his insights were so interesting.”

The professors who attended this talk were very impressed with Dr. Wells’ presentation as well.

“Dr. Spencer Wells wound a spellbinding web taking us from primordial human origins up to mysteries geneticists are unlocking about the DNA of our own grandchildren yet to be born,” noted Dr. Philip Eliasoph, Open Visions Forum founder and di-

Tebben Gill Lopez / The Mirror

Humans are diverse because of genetics, but our genes can also be the key to proving that all humans have the same origins (Top to bottom: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Australia; children in Ecuador and an angel oak tree in Southern California).

rector and professor of art history.

“Taking us on a pioneerRover drive from London to outer Mongolia to collect the DNA samples of thousands of Genghis Khan’s descendants, Wells was smart, informative and down to

earth,” he stated. “That guy on the Quick Center stage was an authentic Indian Jones searching man journey from Neanderthals to Neolithic tool makers, artisans and spirit doctors.”

Aside from his work on this project, Wells’ fascination with

the past has led him to books and documentary projects.

“We are an incredibly diverse species,” said Wells. “It’s all about answering those basic human questions that we all have because there are so many fascinating possibilities about our ancestry and origins.”

The Mirror | Week of April 16, 2014

The Vine

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Told ByDrudoll When it comes to style & fashion, Drudoll tells all.

By Drusilla Ollennu Fashion Columnist

Blazing into spring Blazers shouldn’t be limited to professional settings; they're more fashionable than you think. Whether you prefer double-breasted or single-breasted, blazers are definitely back in trend:

Why You Should Invest in Blazers

Blazers are necessary for the transition into warmer weather because of their lightweight material. They can also be dressed up or down for multiple occasions.

Which Blazers are Trendy?

These blazers are in style for both men and women: -Brightly-Colored Blazers: Not only are they fun to wear, but they’re also on-trend for the season.

-Floral Blazers: These blazers are often seen in street styles. You can wear a floral blazer to add an urban twist to your outfit.

-Plaid Blazers: This vintage style is reappearing and it’s just as chic as it was before.

Ways to Style Your Blazers

For a casual look, pair your blazer with distressed or plain jeans (or shorts) and a simple shirt. For a dressier look, you can match your blazer with a dress, skirt or fitted pants.

Senior Taylor Webb models a bright red blazer and jeans combo. Drusilla Ollennu / The Mirror

WVOF What to listen to next

By Jana Novak WVOF Music Director

Seahaven "Reverie Lagoon: Music For Escapism Only"

Wye Oak "Shriek"

The Baltimore duo has released one of the most anticipated albums of the year, a follow-up to their 2011 album “Civilian.” It seems that they have taken a note from singer Jenn Wasner’s pop-synth side project Dungeonesse, as the album strays from their usual sound. Wasner has even switched from guitar to exclusively play bass, while bandmate Andy Stack backs up on keyboard. Wasner’s throaty vocals remain an essential part of their sound.

Deleted Scenes "Lithium Burn" The group’s third full-length release is one of perfectly solid experimental post/math rock. As expected, the instrumentation and overall tone of the album is aggressively expansive. There are some really well-planned moments of dissonance, as well as frenzied distortion and unexpected key changes that keep the listener interested without going too far overboard to sound grating.

Seahaven has redefined their tone with this album, their most laid-back release to date. As more of an exploration of the band’s abilities both lyrically and instrumentally, the album has taken a more minimalist approach than fans would expect. The whole thing is compositionally stunning and cohesively plaintive, and a clear sign that they have taken a step in the right direction.

S

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

The Vine

By Loan Le Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

enior Louis Inglese has played at Clam Jam, giving inebriated, fun-loving Fairfield seniors a bass-heavy backdrop to their end-of-the-year debauchery.

He’s played from the balcony of a Lantern Point beach house, his mixes carrying euphoric sounds over a sea of students adorned in colorful clothing celebrating different countries for the Beer Olympics.

And last Saturday, on April 12, he opened for Spanish EDM stars Chus & Ceballos at Pacha, a popular nightclub in New York known for hosting the likes of DJs and producers Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki and Victor Calderone.

For Inglese, Pacha was by far his largest venue with the most prominence — and a different setting than his bedroom, where he first started mixing his own tracks.

At around age 12 or 13, Inglese was listening to Axwell and Steve Angello, DJs and producers who have greatly influenced his style and still remain his favorites today.

After getting exposed to a variety of electronic music, at 16, he thought, “Maybe I’ll give this a shot.”

The Brooklyn native — “DJ Lou” to his peers at Fairfield — pulled together “the cheapest equipment” he could find and then retreated to his room and mixed records, experimenting with music even while having “no idea what I was doing,” he says.

He reached out to a friend, DJ Dom Tufaro, who showed him more techniques for mixing music. He’d look at his favorite DJs and try to decipher their technique and sounds.

The journey to this point had its ups and downs, but nothing that Inglese regrets doing.

Once getting to Fairfield, he remembers annoying club promoters, asking if he could play for maybe a half hour.

Some said yes, some said no.

He played sets at New Haven’s Elevate and a small lounge in NYC once. “Whatever I could find,” he says. “I was just trying to get my foot in the door.”

In his sophomore and junior years, he met more people and they’d ask him to play longer sets, with pay.

After that, he was getting calls from promoters and people in the city. “This summer was definitely a big turning point to me,” Inglese says.

After playing at the W Hotel in NYC, a promoter noticed his talent and contacted him about a gig at Pacha.

Contributed by Louis Inglese DJ Louis Inglese plays his set at this year's Beer Olympics.

SOUNDCLOUD soundcloud.com/louis-inglese

TWITTER @louinglese

We welcome Shakespeare to the punk rock scene

Senior Owen Corey plays the despicable Duke whose affections get shunned by Isabella (Ashley Ruggiero '14).

By Meaghan Conlon Opinion Editor Shakespeare’s renowned works have been loved by audiences for centuries.

Though they were written in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the themes and morals of his plays are still relevant today.

Theatre Fairfield produced its rendition of “Measure for Measure” this past weekend using the lens of the punk rock era, showing that Shakespeare’s plays connect with people from across history.

Before the start of the play, some members of the cast interacted with members of the audience by inviting them to

graffiti the stage backdrop with them, as at this time period, graffiti was a huge part of the culture and tagging of buildings. The set design itself was very chaotic, but that did not take away from the action happening on stage. Rather, it fit nicely with the costumes and punk theme that they were aiming for.

Inglese didn’t hear back until after he performed at the Greenhouse in South Village.

Once seeing the word “Pacha” in the subject line, Inglese says, “I didn’t even read the email at first. I said ‘yes’ right away.”

For him, producing and playing music go hand in hand, but he can’t say if he likes one activity over the other.

“There’s no really wrong way or right way to [produce music].” Everyone has a different way of composing music, but Inglese is inspired by new music and his favorite artists.

Though schoolwork has gotten in the way of producing music lately (Inglese is an accounting major), he plans to make more music in the summer.

When Inglese does gigs, he likes being surrounded by people and feeding off their energy.

He switches up his music depending on the crowd; Fairfield audiences usually like more commercial music, while NYC crowds boast a larger palette for both strands of EDM. Inglese doesn’t label himself commercial or underground and sometimes feel like the arguments about what’s “good” or “bad” distracts people from appreciating the music that so many DJs put out.

“People tend to pick sides … but this is one-sided. People need to learn that just because ... you don’t like a certain artist doesn’t mean they’re not talented. You just have to realize that it’s not your style,” he says.

Dance music, simply, “is really good music when it’s high energy and makes people come together,” he adds.

Inglese will graduate in one month. The future is unforeseeable, he says, but he’ll continue producing and playing music because he likes it.

“I don’t know where it’s gonna go,” Inglese continues. “I didn’t even think it was going to get this far. [But] the main focus is school, getting a regular job.”

Inglese will work on his master’s degree in the Dolan School of Business Graduate Programs.

He credits his girlfriend, Francesca, and friends who come out to his shows for supporting his career so far.

He says, laughing, “My family likes what I do, as long as I do my schoolwork.”

His next gig? In less than two weeks, he'll play at Clam Jam again. “People will hear things they haven’t heard from me before,” he says.

The costumes were cleverly done, with Isabella having a locked chastity belt, Pompey’s vest decorated with interlocking gender symbols and Mistress Overdone’s ensemble as over the top as she was. Her outfit was my favorite, with leather boots that laced up to the thighs and a large fur coat that conveyed her haughty attitude and character; the actor, Brendan McNamara ‘17, did a wonderful job with portraying the brothel owner in a cross-gender casting.

Instead of an elevated stage, the audience was eye level with the performers. This posed a problem when it came to the blocking used during the scenes. The actors and actresses did a great job at trying to make sure their back was never to an audience member for too long, but they could not be visible to all audience members at all times.

There are a few moments I could think of when I was able to see the facial expressions of the actors that other side could not, which affected how I viewed the scene.

It is unfortunate that it was missed by those sitting opposite of me. However, barring the occasions when the actors’ backs were to the audience, the delivery and timing of the lines was seamless.

I have mixed feelings about the pantomime performance in the beginning of the play; I understand how it served to introduce the characters and an important trait or two, but it just left me feeling confused and apprehensive about the rest of the performance.

Once the actual dialogue began, the performance and pacing picked up. The witty Shakespearean lines were lost on some of the audience, but the more crude ones were understood with the help of sex-

ual gestures by the cast, which the audience responded well to.

There were two directorial choices that, while not in the written play itself, I felt enhanced the performance of “Measure for Measure.” These were the attempted rape of Isabella by Lord Angelo and Isabella refusing the Duke’s marriage proposal at the end of the play. In Shakespeare’s play, there is no mention of the physical attempts Angelo makes on Isabella, just argumentative words exchanged between the two.

Witnessing the physical attempt by Angelo on Isabella’s virginity, we can see what a cruel person Angelo is and the horrible means he’ll go to in order to get what he wants.

The closing scene was the one I was most apprehensive for; as Shakespeare leaves the ending open for interpretation, many directors will choose to pair Isabella with the Duke in order to give the comedy a proper Shakespearean ending in which all the characters are paired up for marriage.

While Owen Corey ‘14 did an excellent job as the Duke, his character is one I have found I despise. It goes against Isabella’s character to suddenly accept a marriage proposal from a man who has been lying to her the entire time he was helping her.

For a director to go against the usual choice of fading out before Isabella responds or having her accept his offer, was a welcome relief.

Overall, while the play was long and many of the jokes went over the heads of the audience members, it was an enjoyable experience. I have watched a few adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays over the years, and this one was a welcome change from the usual performances I have seen.

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The Mirror | Week of April 16, 2014

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Contributed Photo

T

By Leigh Tauss Opinion Editor Emeritus The spark in Don Draper’s eyes has faded and unfortunately so has the buzz about the once great "Mad Men." The beginning of the end was set in motion Sunday night with the premiere of the final season, although I don’t really know if you can call it that considering "Mad Men" won’t actually be off the air until 2015.

AMC decided to split the final season "Breaking Bad" style, except, unlike "Breaking Bad," the momentum seems all but drained from "Mad Men." And from the looks of it, we’re eyeing down a slow crawl to the end.

The execs over at AMC now are probably pounding skulls over the decision to prolong the inevitable. According to the New York Times, "Mad Men" suffered a steep drop in viewership to 2.4 million viewer, down over a million views from the year before.

Just for comparison, last week HBO’s "Game of Thrones" premiered to 6.6 viewers, and people actually pay for that.

Honestly, I don’t even know how it happened. It seemed like just yesterday "Mad Men" was the must see show on TV. Last season ended brilliantly, with multiple relationships dissolving and Don losing his job.

But where has the gusto gone?

The episode picked up two months since last season. Don visits

By Christina Mowry Assistant News Editor From April 13 to 25, the Leaders for Environmental Action at Fairfield will host a variety of events for Earth Week.

Earth Week is an extension of Earth Day, which falls on Tuesday, April 22.

On Tuesday, April 22, there will be a talk held in the Aloysius P. Kelley Center Presentation Room entitled “A Zero Waste Campus is Possible.”

At this discussion, recent University of New Hampshire graduate Alex Freid will be speaking about a non-profit cooperative he started, The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN).

PLAN is a national movement of student leaders making an effort to eliminate global waste, according to their website.

Megan in California, and it’s obvious she’s living the life of a young starlet, picking him up in an adorable little forest green convertible. However, the tension between them was palpable, and more and more Don seems like a sad old stick in the mud. Things with them was always awkward, but if there’s no passion during the rare visit in a bicoastal relationship, that's a huge red flag. But since Don lost basically everything else in his life that matters, he’s probably going to cling to her for dear life. It will end badly, I guarantee it.

Peggy has to deal with a patronizing new boss who doesn’t value her ideas. The office seems so dead and empty now that most of the core cast has dispersed. Peggy now seems like the only creative one left, and unfortunately no one wants to listen to her ideas without the big boys there to back her up.

Pete Campbell is and will always be a scumbag. Who dresses like a mutant golfer in California? Probably a lot of people.

Dawn tries to seduce some guy trying to gain leverage at the company she now works for, and fails. You’re kidding me, right? Who on earth wouldn’t be seduced by Christina Hendricks? So what if he’s married. I get the feeling he’s up to something.

Sterling is fulfilling his dream of living in a constant drug-induced orgy. Power to him.

I think the big problem hindering "Mad Men" at this point is that by separating the core cast from one another, splitting the gang across two coasts, the story lines seem disconnected. We don’t have that domino effect anymore, where one character’s drama impacts everyone else. Now, it’s every man or woman for his or her self, and I’m not sure if they can hold their own alone.

The most disappointing thing though (probably made worse by the fact that I watched it immediately after a mind-boggling epic episode of "Game of Thrones") is that it was boring. I can’t thing of a worser thing for a show to be in it’s final season. Even "Dexter," which quite possibly had the worst final season of all time, was never boring, just completely asinine.

How sad it was that for me the most riveting part was the opening credits. Hearing the familiar theme song reminded me of a time before the show had gone stale, a time where there was character development and plot twists, where you could taste the dawn of a new era in history told from the perspectives of our current cultures architects. Now, we’ve reached a point where the sixties have sold out, and it’s safe to say, so has "Mad Men." Let’s just hope this show can end with at least a shred of it’s old dignity. I’m not going to lie though - it’s not looking good.

Freid will also discuss how zero waste campuses can be the beginning to a zero waste world, touching upon PLAN’s success at other institutions.

LEAF President Alex Fylypovych ‘14 explained why Freid is a great choice for LEAF’s first speaker in the last four years.

“He has a lot of really interesting perspectives and a lot of good statistics. So it isn’t just this hippie movement,” said Fylypovych.

Tuesday’s presentation will be followed by an event at the Fairfield University Downtown Bookstore entitled “Thinking Environmentally, Acting Politically in Connecticut.”

At this event, former Massachusetts’ Undersecretary of Environmental Affairs and former President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts James Gomes will be speaking.

Culminating Earth Week will be an Earth Day Festival on Friday, April 25, from 4-7 p.m. on the Barone Campus Center/Alumni Hall Green.

The festival will have free food, live student music, eco vendors and activities like tie-dying and canvas bag decorating.

“Not only is it [a reusable canvas bag] cool… You can take that with you every time you go to Stop and Shop or Whole Foods … You can use it for anything and they last so much longer than plastic bags,” said Fylypovych.

Fylypovych continued to discuss the festival, noting that the event is both informative and a way for students to de-stress before final exams.

“We want to make it a very fun and casual place to come and hang out and have fun.”

By Jennifer Calhoun Executive Editor

echnology is everywhere; we all know it. Some of us can see the dangers of what it does to our society. Even Wally Pfister, longtime cinematographer and now director of the upcoming film “Transcendence” sees the harm that it can cause to the world we live in.

In a question-and-answer call between Pfister and The Fairfield Mirror and other universities in the area on Sunday, Pfister touched on the contradiction that he is a man whose life is surrounded by technology, but he still struggles with his phone’s need to update and technology in general.

It’s this that inspired him to take on his directorial debut with a film as complex and technologically driven as “Transcendence.”

“Transcendence,” which opens everywhere on April 18, tells the story of Dr. Will Caster (played by Johnny Depp), a man who is the top researcher and developer in the Artificial Intelligence field. His thirst for knowledge leads him to build a sentient machine that “combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions,” according to Warner Brothers’ press release for the film.

As one could imagine, Caster is not a cut-and-dry character. As his body deteriorates, he decides to take the chance and upload his consciousness to the machine. As the machine allows for his knowledge to grow, so too does his thirst for power. Nobody is what you expect them to be, and part of the joy in watching the film unfold is not really knowing characters’ intentions or actions.

Pfister took a second to think when I asked if he thought people would use this machine if it were available to the public. Pfister said that he wouldn’t know what to do with his consciousness if he uploaded it to a machine and that it wouldn’t really serve a purpose for him. It really only stood a purpose for a man like Caster.

For Pfister, although there is an underlying message in the film about the danger that technology has in a society, the message does not come from him.

“I think that the ‘message’ in a film should not come from the director, it should come from the characters,” Pfister said.

Separating his feelings from his work was not a hard task for Pfister, who previously never had to worry about it in his work as a cinematographer.

Pfister is an accomplished cinematographer who might be best known for his work with Christopher Nolan on the “Dark Knight” trilogy. Through the years of working together on set, Pfister saw many similarities and differences between how he and Nolan would run their sets.

“Christopher Nolan runs a really strict set. If call time is 7:00 if you show up 5 minutes before 7, you’re late,” Pfister said.

His relationships and time spent on the set of the “Dark Knight” trilogy also turned out to be beneficial for Pfister in his directorial debut. Morgan Freeman, who plays Joseph Tagger in “Transcendence,” also plays Lucius Fox in all three of the “Dark Knight” films.

Cillian Murphy, who plays Donald Buchanan in “Transcendence,” played the Scarecrow in the “Dark Knight” films as well as Robert Michael Fischer in “Inception,” another film that Pfister filmed and Nolan directed.

Rebecca Hall, who plays Depp’s wife in the film also starred in “The Prestige,” which, you guessed it, Pfister filmed and Nolan directed.

Not only did he have a cast he was familiar with on set, Pfister noted that it was also a remarkably star-studded cast for someone to have on their first go-around as a director. Joining Murphy, Freeman, Hall, and Depp is Kate Mara, known for role on “House of Cards,” Cole Hauser, who played Roma in “Olympus Has Fallen” and Paul Bettany, who played Silas in “The Da Vinci Code.”

If Pfister can continue making thought-provoking and visually appealing films like “Transcendence,” it is not beyond belief that he could someday have the directorial prowess similar to his friend Nolan.

Check out “Transcendence,” when it opens across America on April 18.

Creative Commons on set for "Transcendence."

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Coffee Break

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COFFEE BREAK Editor: Meaghan Kirby

Point/Counterpoint:

Class registration

Assistant News Editor

Christina Mowry

Matthew Schneider

Assistant Sports Editor

Ah, registration. Depending on your last tration that I am beginning to wonder if Fairfield Registration is awesome, and it only which happens to be the one at the same name, your graduation year, whether or not you has it out for me. I have been forced to take an gets better as you get older. Instead of taking time as their practice.

If you’re really afraid that you won’t are a D1 athlete and what your major is, this time 8 a.m. chemistry class, which, while not exceed8 a.m. classes every day, you’re finally able of year can be either one of ease or one of diffi- ingly difficult, was still torturous to attend each to take class only two days a week starting be able to get into a class, you should take the initiative to talk to the professor in adculty. If you are lucky enough to have a last name morning.Additionally, during orientation, I was at 11 a.m. that coincides with the first registration time, or forcibly signed up for an upper level math that I This year, I accidentally slept through vance. Go to their office hours, bring them if you are a student-athlete, you are in the clear. had absolutely no interest in taking, and ended up my registration time and still got into all the cookies and become their best friends. UlYou will get to choose classes before everybody doing very badly in as a result of my lack of math classes I wanted within two minutes (once I timately, they just want to see you make an else, so you probably won’t end up with a dreaded experience. I wish that Fairfield would do a better finally woke up two hours later). That may effort, cookies or no cookies.They are the 8 a.m. class. However, if you are like me and don’t job of figuring out who benefits each time from be a perk of being a rising senior, but it’s also ones who can pull strings to get you into a completely full class, so make the effort to have any of these things going for you, you will the orientation schedule, since the current system one that will come for everyone in time. end up picking at a horrible registration time and doesn’t seem to be working very well. I also wish So many people say that registration is talk to them before everyone else does.

The process of registration really isn’t forced to sift through leftover classes, all while that Fairfield would do a better job of helping stuthe worst time of the year, but they’re absothat bad. Ultimately, just feverishly checking RateMyProfessor.com to dents sign up for their first classes at orientation, lutely wrong. Midterms and finals weeks are always be thankensure that you don’t get stuck with a t e a c h e r as the bad grade I got in my math class placed a definitely far worse. Registration is simple ful that you’re damper on what was otherwise an excellent and that gives two midterms (it has hapcompared to the weeks you spend in the not an incoming enjoyable first semester. pened) and doesn’t allow any eleclibrary doing nothing but stress-eating and freshman at the Some schools decide who gets to register tronics in class. guiltily refreshing Facebook for the 200th second and last first based on GPA, or on a first-come, firstI have gotten the short time. orientation. served basis. Fairfield, on the other hand, end of the stick so many As for the process of registration, it’s runs a randomized lottery system that astimes in regards to regisfine the way it is. I can see that it would be signs you a time slot based on your last an awesome incentive for registration to be name. All in all, the system that Fairfield based on GPA, but what about uses turns what should be an enjoyable the skills and knowledge I’ve and exciting experience into one that learned outside of the classpeople just don’t want to put up with. room? My experiences at my Perhaps Fairfield will re-examine the jobs and as a member of clubs system that it uses, but it most likely have proven to be just as imwon’t. portant as the knowledge I While this appears to be fair, have learned in the classD1 athletes are allowed to choose room. I don’t believe that my classes before everyone else, GPA alone defines me as a regardless of their last names. person, or even a student.

Although I can understand the Also, what if I’m necessity of choosing classes that don’t an athlete? Trust me, I’m conflict with practices, it still doesn’t not, but isn’t it obvious Editor’s note: seem fair to me that they get to bypass why athletes get to register first? They Point/Counterpoint wants to give students on campus a chance to voice their opinions on specific issues. The topics must be the system and the dread that comes can’t skip practice every day because relevant to a majority of the student population and can be a current event or a long-standing issue. If you would like to be featured in the column, contact info@fairfieldmirror.com. with picking classes. they got stuck with the only class left,

Word Search BOSTON

COMMENCEMENT

FORUM

GENETICS

LIPSTICK

PRESCRIPTION

SHOOTING

SOFTBALL

REGISTRATION

Fill each 3x3 grid with numbers 1-9, making sure that none of the numbers in any rows or columns repeat.

Sudoku

Sports

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Weekly 4x5

Because they like to talk ...

How did you take advantage of the gorgeous weather over the weekend?

Jennifer Calhoun, Luigi DiMeglio, Tom Shea and Connor Kelley

Any big plans for the long Easter weekend?

When I recovered from my Eating ham ... that's about it. I Saturday spent outside ... er inside think we all know by now that I Jennifer Calhoun Townhouses, I went to the zoo. am not an interesting person.

Executive Editor Got to watch a bison pee, a tiger sleep and Babou just being Babou.

Patrick Kiernan Sports Editor

Your 2013-2014 4x5 Columnists:

So much softball and Wiffle ball Bed, video games and food ... if and just being outside. Also, a cer- you consider those plans big. tain daytime activity on Saturday was great considering the awesome weather.

Thom Sea Multimedia Manager Emeritus

There was a wedding ... sorry Stamford. Best of luck to those crazy lovebirds though, I think they're gonna make it. Can't say I thought the same for some members of the wedding party, however. Or myself.

...Recovering from previously stated wedding. I think there's some sort of zombie marathon on this Sunday too, I keep hearing about someone rising from the dead.

Jesse Erickson Assistant Sports Editor

For some reason, I volunteered to cover "Around the World."

All I got out of it was really bad sunburn and my first all-nighter because I didn't know how to a hard news story about a "darty."

Serving those who can't cook at the namesake restaurant, Jesse Camille's. The rest of the time will be spent with my only friend at home, my dog .

The NBA season is just about over. What are your postseason predictions?

The Yankees took the series against the Red Sox. How do you see the rivalry playing out this year?

Bubba Watson won his second Masters this Sunday. Thoughts?

UConn is going to win.

I really like how Nomar and Johnny Damon look for the Sox this year. They'll have big seasons, you watch.

He celebrated at Waffle House. You go Gerry ... rock on!

I have got to give it to the Toronto Raptors. Props to them for dumping that bum Bargnani off to my woeful Knicks. They deserve all the success in the world for pulling that trade off.

I see the Yankees winning most of the series throughout this season.

Also, I hope Ellsbury plays lights out in each game versus the Sox just to really shove it down their throats.

Gotta love seeing a man who calls himself Bubba doing well in life, am I right? It's just too bad for 20-year-old runner-up Jordan Spieth who only has his model girlfriend's shoulder to cry on.

The unbelievably cynical Red Sox fan in me is already thinking bad thoughts about the season, but I'm just going to sit back, wait for everyone to get healthy, and as Victorino reminded us last fall: Every little thing is gonna be alright.

A man named Bubba is on top of a sport that was invented by nobility and still dominated by rich white dudes. What's not to love?

Age finally catches up to the Spurs and they all are required to get hip replacements, but they still win it all as they gather at center court to celebrate the championship in their electronic scooters.

No idea.

Ellsbury looked a lot better in a Sox uniform...

All I know about Bubba Watson is that a boy in my French class mentioned him today, and my French teacher thought he said Beyonce...

The world revolves around Queen B...

Sorry Bubba.

Stag Spotlight: Baseball's

Mike Wallace '16 and Billy Zolga '15

Sophomore pitcher Mike Wallace.

Do you have a favorite baseball moment?

What are your thoughts on this Fairfield baseball season?

Is it a serious group or are there a lot of jokesters?

Wallace: We’re playing well right now and I hope we keep it up. We’re pitching well, playing very good defense and getting timely hits. We’re getting a lot of two-out doubles and late inning hits, and those are really what win games.

Wallace: I think it’s a pretty goofy team.

Sometimes when we try to get too serious, we just laugh at how serious we are trying to get. That works out and it’s the style of baseball that we play.

Zolga: It’s going really well. We have some experience with making it to the playoffs my freshman year and we know what it takes to make it there. Having confidence with our pitching staff and defense is pushing us along.

How have you enjoyed your time on the baseball team thus far?

Wallace: In my senior year, we won the sectional championship and winning that game was a lot of fun. I won it with my brother.

We were on the same team, so it was a fun Wallace: I think this team has a really close bond more so than any other team that I’ve time for the both of us. been on. We’re all really best friends on and Zolga: Just committing finally. The whole off the field and I think that really helps us recruiting process was long and knowing out a lot. We know that as soon as we step off that before your senior season you were able the field, too, that we have each other’s backs. to sign with a college and have that stress off Zolga: I love the guys and I spend a lot of free your back was the best moment for me. time hanging out with the players. We’re a close-knit group and get along perfectly fine.

What’s your favorite Everyone’s excited with the success we’ve had MLB team and what thus far.

are your predictions for them this season?

Wallace: I’m a Mets fan. I don’t think it’s going to be too good of a season, but it’s a growing year. We have a strong pitching staff, so hopefully we’ll be back in a couple of years.

Zolga: The Red Sox. So far, they’ve gotten off to a slow start. I think they should be all right. They’ve got some experience and Farrell’s a good coach, so they should have a decent year.

Zolga: We have a little bit of both. With baseball, you need to be relaxed and have fun. Our captains are good at keeping the team together and keeping the team serious when we need to be serious.

What are some of the perks of being a college athlete?

What is the ultimate goal for this season?

Wallace: It’s just awesome to keep playing the game of baseball. So many kids fall in love with this game, but are only able to play it up until their senior year of high school. Taking the journey wherever it takes you is the biggest perk.

Wallace: We definitely want to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and I think that we can. It’s not only a goal, but it’s what’s expected at this point with the way we’ve been playing. If we keep playing hard and stay focused, I think it’s going to happen.

Zolga: You do get some recognition around campus, but I don’t look at athletics as getting specific perks. I look at it as playing baseball and continuing to do what I love.

Zolga: Definitely winning the MAAC. This year, we have had success and are starting to gain recognition from around the league. I don’t think the season will be a success unless we do win the MAAC. Photos by Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror

Inside the Sports section this week: -Powerhouses and surprise teams headline NBA playoffs -NHL Playoff Preview: First Round -Women's lacrosse wins fifth straight contest -Softball sweeps doubleheader versus Monmouth

Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Page 14

Powerhouses and surprise teams headline NBA playoffs

By Patrick Kiernan Sports Editor With just a few games left to play in the NBA regular season, the playoff teams have been determined. With that said, there were some unexpected teams that thrived this season, while others faded to black.

The most disappointing 2013-14 season was arguably held by the New York Knicks. This team, spearheaded by All-Star Carmelo Anthony, was seeded second in the Eastern Conference just a year ago, putting together an impressive 54-28 record.

However, this season could be described by many as an absolute train wreck. After watching the Atlanta Hawks clinch the final playoff spot in the East this week, the Knicks have nothing to look for except for what Anthony chooses to do now as a free agent.

Along with this team, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will be missing the playoffs, marking the first season in NBA history that neither of these three teams have made the postseason.

However, there were quite a few pleasant surprises in the Eastern Conference this season. The most noticeable of these teams would be the Toronto Raptors. In a season that tried to change the look of the entire franchise with new General Manager Masai Ujiri, the Raptors thrived in a campaign that showed DeMar DeRozan as a legitimate All-Star.

Along with guard Kyle Lowry, these two players have led the Raptors to a top four Eastern Conference seeding, after not making the playoffs since the 2007-08 season.

Another surprise out of the Eastern Conference was the Charlotte Bobcats. The team regarded widely as the laughingstock of the NBA returned to normalcy this year, clinching at least a 42-win season and a playoff berth for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

Signing center Al Jefferson in the offseason made a big difference for the Bobcats, as he led the team in many categories this season and may be receiving a few MVP nods. Along with guard Kemba Walker, these two players have done an excellent job this season for the team and made the Bobcats relevant once more.

Of course, you have your powerhouses of the conference as well: the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat. These two teams have competed in gritty games all season long, and look to be forces in the playoffs. The Heat, winners of the last two NBA championships, look to get healthy before the postseason and hopefully thrive like they have in the past.

While the Pacers started off the season excellently, they have cooled down after the All-Star break; however, they will still hold the number one seed in the playoffs. Expect for both of these teams to go far.

There are even more powerhouse teams in the Western Conference: the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets.

The Spurs have been led by Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili for years now and still continue to thrive. They have clinched a 60-win season and are ready to compete. Kevin Durant, a probable MVP candidate, looks to compete as well alongside his court mate Russell Westbrook.

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The Clippers are finally looking to make a serious run in the playoffs. After being knocked out in earlier rounds in previous years, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are ready to make some noise.

Finally, the Rockets thrived this season after signing center Dwight Howard.

Along with James Harden, these two look to face some tough opponents and succeed in the playoffs.

The team that follows these in the Western Conference standings is a surprise: the Portland Trail Blazers.

With their depleted bench and somewhat amateur starting lineup, this team was projected to be left out of the postseason. However, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge gave the team an excellent start to the season and are still tough contenders.

Though they played a bit below

par in the second half of the season, expect Aldridge to lead this team to a few postseason victories.

Another team that has been a surprise in the Western Conference is obviously the Phoenix Suns. Before the season even started, the Suns were considered one of the teams that would be “tanking” to get good players in the upcoming draft.

However, the young, dynamic guard combo of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe has made this team a serious contender. Though they will not be playing in the postseason this year, this is a team with many draft picks that can become very good in years to come.

One team that has been a disappointment in the West this season is the Los Angeles Lakers. After getting rid of Dwight Howard in free agency,

the Lakers were ready to be removed from the negative media attention he brought to the team. Also, Kobe Bryant was just about healed from his Achilles injury and ready to play in another successful NBA season. However, he suffered a season-ending injury early on and big man Pau Gasol suffered multiple injuries, in addition to being surrounded by trade rumors.

With these players mostly irrelevant, the Lakers put together one of the worst records in the West and might look at years of rebuilding.

This NBA season was filled with many surprises and disappointments, as well as highlights and moments to be remembered for years. This postseason is likely to be just as exciting with many good teams playing with the same goal in sight: the NBA championship.

NHL Playoff Preview: First Round

By Matthew Schneider Assistant Sports Editor The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are beginning, and it promises to be an interesting time for all of the teams involved.

On Friday, April 18, the Boston Bruins will take on the Detroit Red Wings in an exciting series.

The Red Wings just recently got back superstar center Pavel Datsyuk. They lost key players like Datsyuk, captain Henrik Zetterberg and defenseman Niklas Kronwall for stretches of time, forcing them to rely on young prospects.

The number of injuries forced forward Gustav Nyquist into a large role, scoring 28 goals and 48 points in 57 games.

The Bruins, however, have not been so lucky, suffering injuries to Loui Eriksson and Dennis Seidenberg.

Eriksson is back, but Seidenberg may not be able to return. The Bruins’ saving grace has been their strong defensive play, as well as excellent goaltending from Tuukka Rask.

The Bruins should win this series, but not easily. The Red Wings will put up a real fight, and Nyquist will play like a man possessed, but the strong play of Rask and the Bruins’ defense will be too much.

On Thursday, April 17, the New York Rangers will take on the Philadelphia Flyers. There has been bad blood here for years, but the two haven’t met in the playoffs since 1997.

The stellar play of Rangers’ goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has kept the team afloat. Additionally, the combination of Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello has been the Rangers’ best line. If the Flyers are not careful, this line can cause trouble.

The Flyers are led by Claude Giroux and present a serious scoring threat. Forwards Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek have been playing great, scoring nearly all the goals.

Additionally, defenseman Andrew MacDonald has played very well and should continue to do so.

If Lundqvist continues to play like himself, the Rangers should be able to win this series. However, if Giroux and the Flyers are able to get shots by Lundqvist, the Rangers may lack the offensive depth to respond.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday, April 16. The Penguins boast offensive firepower with the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and James Neal. However, they do have an inconsistent goaltender in Marc-André Fleury.

The Blue Jackets don’t have many big-name offensive players aside from youngster Ryan Johansen, who scored 33 goals and 63 points in 82 games. They do, however, have a solid goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky.

If Bobrovsky can shut down the Penguins’ scoring threats, the Blue Jackets will be able to win this series.

However, if the Penguins gain any early leads, the Blue Jackets will have

a difficult time, giving the Penguins a chance to win this series.

The final series from the Eastern Conference is between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens, led by excellent goaltending from Carey Price, have good offensive players in Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban.

The Lightning are similar to the Canadiens in that they have great goaltending in Ben Bishop, are led by offenseman Steven Stamkos and have great defensemen. However, the Canadiens have Price healthy and ready for their games, but the Lightning cannot say the same with Bishop as he sits with a wrist injury.

Without their starting goaltender, the Lightning should fall to the Canadiens. The only way they will win is if they score goals on Price and are able to block enough shots to keep goaltender Anders Lindback in the games.

In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche will take on the Minnesota Wild. The Avalanche are being led by the play of Nathan MacKinnon.

The rookie scored 24 goals and 63 points this year. They have also been backstopped by the play of goaltender Semyon Varlamov.

The Wild have been devastated by goaltender injuries. Josh Harding, who was playing well while recovering from setbacks due to multiple sclerosis, is again sidelined. Additionally, goaltender Niklas Backstrom suffered

an injury forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.

The Wild did pick up goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov at the trade deadline and additional strong play from their best players (Zach Parise, Ryan Suter and Jason Pominville) has made them contender to win the series if they can play good defense and consistently beat Varlamov.

However, the Avalanche should have the upperhand in this series because they are younger and faster than the Wild.

On Thursday, April 17, the Chicago Blackhawks will take on the St. Louis Blues. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks have a lot of expectations. They have skilled forwards in Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp, as well as solid defensemen in Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith.

The Blues acquired goaltender Ryan Miller at the trade deadline and enter the postseason riding a six-game losing streak. Miller has regressed and is playing adequately. He will need to get right if the Blues want to be Stanley Cup contenders.

This series could go either way, but the slight edge goes to the Blues.

The Blackhawks boast one of the most complete lineups in the sport, but when comparing Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford to Miller, the latter is given the advantage.

The Dallas Stars will take on the Anaheim Ducks in a quick series on April 16. The Ducks have a lineup full

of offensive threats, as well as a good goaltending controversy. The Ducks have two goalies that are so good that a starter has yet to be named.

The Stars have gotten mediocre play from goaltender Kari Lehtonen and don’t have many offensive players other than Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Their lack of big-name players will haunt them against a better Ducks team.

The Ducks should have no problem dispatching the Stars, as the latter team won’t keep pace. The Stars could win if they get depth goal scoring from their forwards, but that doesn’t seem likely.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings will take on the San Jose Sharks on April 17.

The California rivals are both at the top of their game.

The Kings boast offensive depth and have increased this by acquiring sniper Marian Gaborik. Additionally, they have the great defensive work of Jonathan Quick.

The Sharks are a similar team that has all-around depth and solid goaltending from Antti Niemi. They should be able to stay in this series by overpowering the Kings’ defense and getting a good amount of shots on Quick.

The Sharks will win this series, but just barely. Their more talented offense will prevail.

All in all, this should be a fun playoff season to watch. The first round should be great, and the later rounds even more entertaining.

Sports

Page 15

THE MIRROR | Week of April 16, 2014

Senior Kristen Filicia drives in winning run

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 However, Monmouth was relentless in the third inning. Even after a pitching change for Fairfield from Trott to Lauren Falkanger ‘16, Monmouth still scored two runs after another two run home run, putting them ahead 8-4.

“We got in a hole pretty quick with our pitching and we had to play catch-up ball, and when we play catch-up ball, we’re not able to run as much and do as many little things that we normally do when we’re behind,” said Brzezinski.

After two innings with no runs scored from either side, Fairfield only had one more opportunity to try to sweep Monmouth. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kristen Filicia was the only runner on base, until Ruffolo doubled to left field.

Liseth was able to get her second hit of the game to center field, which allowed both Ruffolo and Filicia to head home. Freshman Nicole Gardon, winning pitcher of the game, was able to hold Monmouth’s offense off for four innings, allowing only three hits.

After the strong Monmouth offense came to an end, Fairfield had the bottom of the seventh inning to score and get the win that they had easily captured in the first game.

“I think we just got ahead of ourselves because we had won the first game and we came out a little flat and a little too confident,” added Ball about the second game.

As Fairfield continued to fight, Monmouth began to struggle to stay ahead.

After a base hit and then an error, Reed was able to get to third base on what was only a base hit.

Despite a strikeout by Lauren Filicia, Reed was then able to score when Monmouth’s catcher missed the pitch and then threw the ball to first to tag Lauren Filicia out.

Now 7-8, Kinhofer singled out and Capra was able to hit a double to right center, sending Brianna Levick ‘15 home, who ran for Kinhofer.

With the score now 8-8 and with two outs, Kristen Filicia was able to get the winning RBI by sending Capra home after a hit that landed between first and second base.

Looking ahead, the team has outlined their goals for the rest of the season, especially in MAAC play. Kristen Filicia, who got the game winning hit, commented on the goals.

“We want to keep competing with MAAC teams, make the MAAC tournament and hopefully win it this time around.”

This week in sports: Wednesday, April 16 Baseball at NYIT, 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Women's Lacrosse vs. Quinnipiac, 3 p.m.

Women's Tennis vs. Hartford, 3 p.m.

Softball vs. Marist, 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 17

Women's lacrosse wins fifth straight contest

By Patrick Kiernan Sports Editor Fairfield women’s lacrosse beat the Siena Saints on Saturday at a score of 15-8 to secure their fifth straight win.

Sophomore Julieanne Mascera and Alex Fehmel ’17 both recorded hat tricks as the Stags improve to 4-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and 9-3 overall. This win in which nine Stags scored goals also put the Stags at the top of their conference standings.

“It’s nice that in different games, so many players have opportunities to get goals,” said Mascera. “It always ends up working out for different people.”

The Stags played this game on Lessing Field as opposed to Alumni Field because of the construction of Rafferty Stadium underway. The transition from the turf field to the grass field was a significant factor for the team.

“We’ve been working a lot on the grass during practice,” said Mascera. “Getting ground balls on it is such a huge difference.”

Working on picking up ground balls paid off as Fairfield won 19 of the 30 ground balls in the game. The Stags also outshot Siena 30-21 and beat them in draw controls 13-11.

Siena also struggled with 13 turnovers and seven yellow cards being drawn on players throughout the game. Fairfield goalkeeper Chelsey Sidaras ’16 made five saves for the Stags and was credited with the win in this contest.

Just 34 seconds into the game, Fehmel put the Stags on the scoreboard, but Siena player Alyssa Treanor answered with a goal of her own shortly after.

Soon enough, leading goal scorers Melanie Raso ’14 and Riley Hellstein ’17 got on the board with

goals of their own to give Fairfield a comfortable two goal lead.

After this, play became somewhat dismal for both teams.

A good amount of turnovers and fouls were to follow in the last 15 minutes of the first half as both teams scored a few goals.

Siena had possession of the ball for most of the period, but Fairfield capitalized on the few goal-scoring opportunities that they did have.

Raso, Mascera and Jamie Leone ’15 all scored throughout the rest of the first half to give the Stags a 6-4 lead going into the half.

Leone’s goal was a behind-theback shot that was SportsCenter Top 10 material.

“I think it was the ground balls,” said Hellstein about the first half struggles. “We couldn’t pick up on those at first and once we did, we were able to finish.”

In the second half, the Stags scored just over a minute into the period on a free position shot by Colleen Reynolds ’16. At this point, the Stags and Saints exchanged goals for a short while.

However, Siena soon found themselves in serious foul trouble, drawing seven yellow cards by the end of the game as well as eight free position shots.

Fairfield scored off five of those free position shots, including four in the second half.

Reynolds, Mascera, Hellstein and Jenna Slowey ’14 all scored on those shots and helped the team build a 12-5 lead with just 12 minutes remaining in the game.

Another factor of the success in the second half was the amount of draw controls that Fairfield won.

“We won a lot more of the draws so that really helped to get adrenaline going,” said Hellstein.

“It helped us get a lot more possessions.”

The Stags won nine of 13

draw controls in the second half, in contrast to winning only four of 11 in the first half. They also had possession of the ball for most of the second half.

An unexpected scoreboard malfunction might have helped out Siena some. With just 17 minutes left to play in the game, Siena scored their fifth goal of the game.

However, the scoreboard would not show the number five and kept skipping to the number nine. After 10 minutes of idle play, it was decided that the scoreboard would just read 50 to represent five. After this, the Stags scored five unanswered goals.

With just over five minutes to play, Fairfield was leading Siena at a score of 13-5. At this point, the Saints were gaining more possessions and had some solid goal opportunities. They scored three goals in the last five minutes and Fairfield answered back with a few more goals of their own.

One of these goals was from Kelly Camardo ’17, the first of her collegiate career. Another player, Kaitlyn Arnold ’17, made a shot in net with just 55 seconds left for what would be the first goal of her collegiate career.

However, she did not drop her stick after the goal, rendering its relevance. Still, the Stags held on and won 15-8, their fifth straight of the season.

“We’ve done a good job of everyone talking to each other,” said Mascera about the win. “We noticed what we had to change from the first half to the second half. I think we did a good job of fixing all that in the second half, which ended really well.”

The Fairfield women’s lacrosse team plays its next home game on Wednesday, April 16, against Quinnipiac, looking for their sixth straight victory.

Men's Golf vs. Monmouth, Iona and St. Peter's, All Day Softball vs. University of Rhode Island, 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Friday, April 18 Baseball vs. Monmouth, 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 19 Women's Tennis vs. St. Peter's, 11 a.m.

Men's Tennis vs. St. Peter's, 11 a.m.

Baseball vs. Monmouth, 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Softball vs. Iona, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Women's Lacrose vs. Marist, 1 p.m.

Monday, April 21 Men's Golf at Peacock Golf Invitational, All Day Women's Tennis at Stony Brook, 3 p.m.

Men's Tennis at Stony Brook, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22 Men's Tennis vs. Villanova, 3:30 p.m.

Baseball at Fordham, 7 p.m.

Contributed by Sports Information Desk

SPORTS 16 Sports Editor: Patrick Kiernan » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

Week of April 16, 2014

Softball sweeps doubleheader with Monmouth

Colin Bell/ The Mirror

By Jesse Erickson Assistant Sports Editor Fairfield softball (9-2 in conference play) swept yet another Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference team on Sunday, April 14, against Monmouth University (2-4 in conference play). The Stags defeated the Hawks in their doubleheader games winning 10-2 and 9-8 respectively.

After defeating Rider University with a pair of 8-0 wins on Saturday, the team was looking to continue on with force for the next two games at home on Alumni Field.

With Monmouth being the newest team to the MAAC, the Stags didn’t know what to expect and came out strong during the first game.

Senior Rae Ball started off on the mound for the Stags, pitching five innings and allowing six hits and two runs, but striking out four.

Monmouth was able to get the first hit of the game in the second inning.

However, Fairfield fired back in the bottom half of the second inning as Monmouth continued to make errors, allowing the Stags to advance on the bases.

Sophomore Nicole Capra posted the first run batted in of the game after a line drive hit allowed Lauren Filicia ‘16 to head home and get the first run on the scoreboard.

Continuing with this momentum with Capra on first and Ball on second due to an error, Gianna Kinhofer ‘17 got a base hit off an error to send Ball home. At the end of the second, Fairfield led Monmouth 2-0.

At the top of the third, Monmouth was able to place runners in scoring positions after a walk from Ball and then a base hit. After a RBI, Monmouth trailed

Fairfield 1-2, but the Stags were able to put the inning to rest before any other Monmouth players could make it home.

The third inning proved to be the most successful for the Stags in the first game of the doubleheader.

Setting up the inning, Sammy Ruffolo ‘15 singled out to third base as Lauren Liseth ‘14 got the next hit, allowing Ruffolo to advance to second.

Junior Sam Frungillo was called out at first in her at bat, but Liseth and Ruffolo were able to advance to second and third on the out.

Next up, Tori Reed ‘17 was walked, which allowed the Stags to load the bases.

Lauren Filicia singled out and sent Ruffolo and Liseth home, making the score 4-1.

For the remainder of the inning, Monmouth struggled to get any runners out, resulting in Fairfield scoring three more runs, now putting them ahead 7-2.

Alone, Lauren Filicia had three hits, three runs and three RBIs. “Lauren Filicia had great at bats; she is really on fire right now and coming up big,” said Head Coach Julie Brzezinski. “She’s having clutch hits and that’s really what we need at this time of the year.”

Completely dominating the rest of the game, two singles from Lauren Filicia and Reed put the Stags on top even further now, making the score of the game 9-2 in the fourth inning.

As the game came to a close in the sixth inning after Monmouth failed to score any runs, Fairfield’s Lauren Filicia posted the last and final run for the Stags, concluding the first game of the double header, 10-2.

“Since we don’t know Monmouth, we came out with

everything that we have,” said Ball.

“It’s not like other teams where we know what they’re going to be like, so we had to play at our highest level.”

Looking to sweep the Hawks, the Stags prepared for their second game of the day.

Taking the mound for the team in the second game was Rebecca Trott ‘14, who struggled to defend Monmouth’s sudden change in pace.

In the first inning, Monmouth posted three runs and two hits.

But, Fairfield was able to get the three runs back and tie the game

after Kristen Filicia ‘14 started off the first inning with a single to the right side of the field.

After two walks by Monmouth and Kristen Filicia on third, the bases were loaded and yet again, Lauren Filicia stepped up to the plate and was able to get a hit which sent two runners home for Fairfield.

Before the final out, Kinhofer singled out to left field and sent Reed home, which tied the score in the bottom of the first inning.

Monmouth continued to push offensively in the second inning.

Trott struggled to keep runners off

the bases and after two wild pitches, Monmouth was able to steal home and advance on the bases.

After the Hawks posted three more runs due to a three run home run, the inning was retired at 6-3 Hawks, along with Trott who allowed seven hits and six runs.

After Kristen Filicia was able to steal second in the third inning, Liseth tripled out to right field and sent Kristen Filicia home, who tightened the score between the teams to 4-6.

READ SOFTBALL ON PAGE 15