Fairfield Mirror 11/20/19

THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of November 20, 2019

Vol. 45 Iss. 12

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Field Hockey Ends Season

Julia Crews/The Mirror

Seniors Octalyana Thaib and Gia Pham perform in annual dance duo for the final time since they are both seniors this year.

Annual Flavors of Asia Astonishes Crowd

By Julia Crews News Editor

“My one and only goal for this year’s Flavors of Asia was to make it the best one yet,” wrote Octalyana Thaib ‘20, president of Fairfield University’s South Asian Student Association, via email about the annual event. On Friday, Nov. 15 students gathered in the Oak Room at 7 p.m. for the annual Flavors of Asia event hosted by SASA and the Asian Student Association. The event featured a variety of performances, from dancing by the Filipino Intercultural Entity Standing Together As Allies, to a martial arts demonstration

by Fairfield’s Martial Arts Club, to a performance by belly dancer Aisha Olga Sokolovs, and a fashion show with looks by members of SASA and ASA. The Oak Room in the John A. Barone Campus Center was set up with tables on either end of the room with an open space in the middle that served as the stage. Before the show began, attendees helped themselves to a buffet that included an array of dishes such as fried rice and spring rolls. Each table had a card

placed in the center that featured a country in Asia and a fact about it.

At around 7:30 p.m., Patrick Setiadi ‘20 introduced the Executive Boards of both ASA and SASA, including the president of ASA Kajal Gopwami ‘21, Thaib, and vice president of SASA, Gia Han Pham ‘20. Thaib called this her “favorite moment” from the event.

“The E-Boards were being introduced to the audience and I was the last one to be called out.

I remember looking at my E-Board standing at the front while I waited in the doorway of the Dogwoods Room. The happiness present on their faces made all the hard work worth it.”

The first performance was a traditional Filipino dance called Tinikling by FIESTA. The dance is done in pairs over two sticks of bamboo, held down and moved throughout the dance by two other performers. “We’re all E-Board and members of FIESTA, and when we heard that SASA and ASA wanted us to dance, we were like ‘oh my gosh, of course,’”

Field Hockey finishes historic season.

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Frédérick Gravel

Vine Julia Crews/The Mirror

Continue Reading Flavors On Page 2

Sports

FIESTA performs a traditional Filipino dance.

Frédérick Gravel gets down at the Quick.

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Health Center Heads to the Quad Construction on Jogues Hall to begin for new Student Health Center

Julia Crews/The Mirror

Head sponsor of the bills Noah Richardson ‘23.

Senate Passes Two Amended Bills

By Colleen Vann Assistant News Editor

The Fairfield University Student Association Senate passed two bills that they hope will allow for a better cooperation between themselves and the executive branch of FUSA. The bills were presented by the head sponsor, Senator Noah Richardson ‘23, at the general meeting on Wednesday night, Nov. 13. The first bill, 56-001, is titled “A Bill to Require Weekly Executive Reports Be Delivered to the Senate.” The Continue Reading Senate On Page 2

By Julia Crews Kerry Kircher ‘22. “I think that the location change will make News Editor the health center much more accessible, but it also may see an Steps have been made towards the construction of a new influx of patients because students won’t have to go as far.”

Student Health Center that will be located in an addition to the west side of Jogues Hall. Currently, the Health Center is located in John C. Dolan Hall, which is an inconvenient location for many students due to its distance from the center of campus. Dolan Hall is situated up behind the Townhouses, which is a long walk from any central campus location such as the quad or the John A. Barone Campus Center.

Students may have noticed that certain parking spots in the Regis parking lot closest to the site have been blocked off. “We were notified by facilities that construction for the new student health center was approved by the town of Fairfield,” said Frank J. Ficko, associate director of the Department of Public Safety. “Tree removal is scheduled to begin on the lawn to the west of Jogues Hall, with construction scheduled to begin immediately.”

As far as how the area looks, it is fenced off, and trees in the yard area have been removed.

Student responses so far have been positive. “I would strongly favor a relocation of the health center,” wrote John McNeil ‘22 via electronic message. “I think it would greatly benefit the student body to have quicker access to the health center.”

Julia Crews/The Mirror “The current location of the health center is a little The view of the west side of Jogues Hall from parking lot. inconvenient as it is at the furthest edge of campus,” said

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

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‘Flavors’ Celebrates Asian Cultures Continued from Page One

Julia Crews/The Mirror

Fairfield’s Martial Arts Club demonstrates forms of Korean Tang Soo Do, the style they practice.

said Mikaela Annette Bravo ‘22 before the performance. The group had been rehearsing for three weeks. “I’m really afraid that I’m gonna like knick my feet…because we’re clicking bamboo together.”

The event continued with a dance performance by “Octa and Gia,” Thaib and Han Pham. They danced in a hip-hop style to a medley of music which concluded with the song “Kill This Love” by prominent South Korean K-pop girl group BLACKPINK. Next up was Fairfield’s Remixx dance group, and after that Fairfield’s Martial Arts Club performed a demonstration. The co-presidents of the club, Jaclyn Cuculino ‘20 and Jack Esposito ‘21, explained the Korean Tang Soo Do, the style of martial arts that the club practices, and led the club’s members in demonstrating various forms. Cuculino remarked on the significance of these forms via electronic message, speaking to how they signify a members’ skill level. “Each one builds upon each other so by the time you get to the really high forms they are really complex and technical,” she said.

“While they may seem funny to an outsider it actually requires an immense amount of skill and precision that translates into other aspects of our training.”

After a brief intermission, the event continued with the annual fashion show, belly dancer, a piano performance by Enkh-Amgalan Batburen ‘22 and another performance by Remixx.

“People say they don’t know how we topped last year but somehow we did it!” wrote Thaib. “That goal, while simple, was what has been leading my vision for Flavors of Asia ever since stepping into Presidency for SASA three years ago.”

“Events like Flavors of Asia are important to showcase the diversity and talent of the student body,” she continued. “Students are provided a place where they can comfortably bring another part of their self-identity to campus. Our club is welcome to all who wish to join. Planning for our signature event for the Spring, Holi, has already started and we would love to have students that wish to become more involved as a direct result of Flavors of Asia.”

FUSA Talks Sustainability on Campus Continued from Page One

second bill presented, 56-002, is titled “A Bill to Establish the Senate’s Subpoena Authority.”

“My hope is that since we passed both of these bills that we’re going to have a future of better transparency in the executive branch and that in the future we’re going to be able to make much more effective policies as a result.” said Richardson.

These two bills were revised versions of the bills that were passed at the last General Senate Meeting on Oct. 30.

Those bills were passed by the Senate, but vetoed by President Claire Monahan ‘20. The sponsors of the current bills worked with the President Monahan to create the compromises found in the new bills. The biggest change, as explained by Senators Ali Haidar ‘21, Colin Townsend ‘21 and John Stalzer ‘22, all sponsors of the bills, was that any accusatory language against the current executive branch was removed.

In an email following the Senate meeting on Wednesday, Monahan said, “I’m always happy to work with senators on legislation and initiatives. I really appreciate all the senators I met with taking the time to hear my concerns about the bills and try to incorporate them into the amendments.”

Both revised bills proposed at Wednesday’s meeting were amended further during debate with the motion being called for by Haidar. In terms of how much time was allotted to the executive branch to submit reports, the wording originally read “academic, non-holiday days,” which Haidar said can be misleading. The amendment removed “non-holiday.” A similar amendment was added to Bill 56-002, adding the word “academic” to describe the days allotted to recipients of subpoenas to gather the requested documents.

Bill 56-001 passed with 15 votes in favor, 0 opposed and 2 abstentions. Bill 56-002 passed with 13 votes in favor, 2 opposed and 2 abstentions.

During the debate over Bill 56-002, Parliamentarian Teresa Sauer ‘20 said, “I want to commend everyone for working with the President, but I don’t agree with this bill because I don’t think it is necessary to execute our responsibilities.”

Sauer expanded on her opinion via email three days after the meeting, saying, “The original preamble to Bill 56-002 mischaracterized the present Executive branch as secretive by stating ‘in past years, and, in some cases, the past weeks, requests for documents...were not furnished.’ To my knowledge, no formal requests were made in the past few weeks which were not furnished by the Executive branch. When I commended the Senate for working with the President, I was commending the edits they made which more accurately framed the reasoning behind the bill’s creation.”

“However, I could not give my support to the bill, even with the proposed edits, because it states that the Senate ‘requires these forms [from other branches] in order to adequately execute its responsibilities,’” said Sauer. “It is my firm opinion that the Senate’s dedicated efforts should be placed towards advocating for the student body and improving the Fairfield University community rather than policing the other branches who have, to my knowledge, not failed in the responsible execution of their own duties.”

“The bill is framed around a problem which does not currently exist in order to give the Senate powers which it should not need in order to adequately fulfill its primary responsibilities,” continued Sauer.

Julia Crews/The Mirror

Senators raise their hands to vote on whether or not to wear “ugly sweaters” to the next meeting.

“We don’t want to have a fight with the executive branch, that’s not what we are here to do, we are here to serve the students of course. So, this compromise was to prevent any escalation that could have happened,” said Speaker Tyler Heffern ‘22, following the meeting and the passing of the bills.

Prior to the business with these bills, the issue of sustainability was a major topic during the public comment section. Sophomore Matthew Little, an Associate Justice in FUSA, came up and spoke about how Fairfield is not doing enough in terms of sustainability. He was prepared for questions by having Fairfield University’s Sustainability Plan pulled up on his laptop and knowing its content. Little expressed the urgency of this issue by taking the campus’ location near the water into consideration.

“We are the Jesuit university that’s going to be the most affected by climate change, yet we are the university doing the least about it,” Little said.

Little proposed the idea of having FUSA create a task force dedicated to making the campus more focused on sustainable options, such as motion lights, encouraging stair use rather than electricity for elevators, and ways to reduce waste, such as water bottle filler stations in all buildings . He explained that having the students unite against any possible lack of action happening now, there is a much larger chance that something will be done.

“Fairfield University’s sustainability plan is good in that it encompasses more than just facilities, it really encourages the creation of a student that is passionate about sustainability.

But, where the sustainability plan fails is that the university

just simply isn’t following it,” Little said in a post-interview. “It speaks about putting ultrasonic sensors into some buildings to turn off lights as buildings are being renovated and that just has not been done. The university really needs to be held accountable for where they have failed to follow their own plan.”

Little’s concerns and suggestions were well-received by many of the senators.

“It is certainly a student issue that we care about. I know I care about sustainability, and many other members of the senate care about sustainability, and his goal was essentially to provoke a greater discussion on sustainability and specifically creating a task-force that is inter branch and interboard within FUSA,” said Heffern.

In a post-interview, Heffern spoke of his hopes to work with the executive branch in an effort to create the kind of task force that Little spoke of, and to begin creating something “concrete” that will allow progress to start being made. He explained the likelihood of starting with small things first, that can be done now, like water bottle fillers in the residence halls to encourage the use of reusable bottles, and then eventually getting to big solutions such as the motion lights that Little mentioned appear in the university’s plan.

The meeting on Wednesday night ended in a manner much less serious than the matters that were discussed. Sauer called for a motion to suspend dress code at the Dec. 4 general senate meeting to wear “holiday dress” instead. When questioned about what “holiday dress” entails, her answer was simply “ugly sweaters.”

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

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The Mirror Reflects on this Week in Social Media Compiled by Julia Crews Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

11/12 4:45 p.m.

Motor vehicle accident involving two students occurred on West Langguth Road. No injuries were reported.

11/15 12:45 a.m.

Department of Public Safety officers observed four students walking down McInnes Road with two kegs that belonged to the Levee. The students were referred to student conduct after they returned the kegs to the Levee.

12:25 a.m.

An individual dancing on the furniture was escorted out of the Levee for disorderly conduct and was told not to return. The student returned to the Levee shortly after and was referred to student conduct.

12:55 a.m.

Assault occurred between a student and two unregistered guests. All parties were identified, and a criminal trespass warning was issued to both nonstudents, who were then escorted off campus.

9:09 p.m.

Two female students were involved in an altercation in the John A. Barone Campus Center. Both parties were identified and referred to student conduct.

1:01 p.m.

DPS assisted the Fairfield Police Department in locating a vehicle involved in a hit and run in Fairfield.

The vehicle was located in the Jogues parking lot.

11/18 4:06 a.m.

Officers found two temporary parking permits that had been altered, rendering them invalid, in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts parking lot. Owners were identified and referred to student conduct.

THE MIRROR Incorporated 1977

Lexi Thimble, Editor-in-Chief Katherine Klima, Executive Editor Julia Monteleone, Managing Editor Editors Sheila McCombs, Chief Copy Julia Crews, News Colleen Vann, Assistant News Catherine Santangelo, Opinion Gracianne Eldrenkamp, Vine Molly Lamendola, Abroad Columnist Julia Lanzillotta, Sports Tobenna Ugwu, Coee Break Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Michael Homan, Director of Finance Advisor Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

The Mirror is the recognized student newspaper of Fairfield University. Opinions and ideas expressed herein are those of the individual student authors, and not those of the Fairfield University or its Board of Trustees

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

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Festival of Faiths Reflects on ‘Radical Hospitality’ Panel invites leaders of four faiths to explore their definitions of ‘radical hospitality’ in fourth annual event

By Colleen Vann Assistant News Editor

Leaders of different faiths came together with students and faculty of all backgrounds for a discussion and celebration of differences, as well as similarities, at the “Festival of Faiths” on Wednesday, Nov. 13 in the lower level of the John A. Barone Campus Center.

The Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and Campus Ministry came together, along with First Year Experience and the Center for Faith and Public Life to host a Chaplain’s panel starting at 12 p.m. The four faiths represented in the panel were Judaism with Rabbi James Prosnit, Protestantism with Reverend Jay Glover, Islam with Kemal Cecunjanin and Catholicism with Father Rourke, the Director of Campus Ministry.

Katie Byrnes, campus minister for social justice and community engagement, said via email in regards to the Festival of Faiths, “The goal is to celebrate and share the wide diversity of faiths present here at Fairfield and many ways in which those traditions engage around the topic of ‘Radical Hospitality.’”

“

We should treat others’ needs as holy, and dedicate our lives to bettering theirs.”

- Reverend Jay Glover

“Radical hospitality” the fourth pillar of Fairfield’s Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Mission Statement, which includes additional pillars of “Inclusive Excellence,” “A Diverse Community” and “Global Engagement.” According to Fairfield’s website, radical hospitality is about, “living in an increasingly interconnected, intercultural world and reflects this by striving to become a microcosm of the global community, in which the other is unconditionally welcomed, respected, and valued.”

This concept has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and here on Fairfield’s campus it is being emphasized more than ever with the Class of 2023. Students are encouraged to create a strong sense of community in any way possible, small or big. The value Fairfield places on “radical hospitality” was highlighted through the panel discussion of

the concept and how it is embraced in various religions.

In front of 15 students, and numerous staff members and student leaders, each of the four panelists spoke about their traditions of “radical hospitality,” and in doing so, highlighted both the diversity and commonality between the different faiths.

Rabbi Prosnit spoke about the word ‘companionship,’ and its Latin roots, breaking the word into ‘companion’ and ‘bread.’ He went on to explain that in the Hebrew tradition, it is common practice to welcome others and form human connections over bread, or food in general. He suggested to students to take this tradition to the Daniel and Grace Tully Dining Commons in order to create meaningful and respectful relationships with others.

“Go beyond your comfort zone,” said Rabbi Prosnit. He expressed that he believed sharing a meal with people you believe yourself to be different from is a great way to create a sense of community in the world around you.

Reverend Glover took the idea of ‘radical hospitality’ to the act of service.

“Irregardless of our social location, we can use our privileges to serve others,” Rev. Glover said. “We should treat others’ needs as holy, and dedicate our lives to bettering theirs.”

All of the panelists echoed this belief Colleen Vann/The Mirror in the importance of helping others in their own way. “Religion isn’t just about prayer,” said Attendees line up to peruse the variety of provided foods.

Cecunjanin. He shared personal examples of “Our hope with this event is that people realize that faith helping others, speaking about people of the Muslim faith traditions don’t differ as much as we think they do,” said Fallon living in Europe and America who take their earned privileges Sullivan ‘20, an Interfaith Peer Leader. “It’s not only our simito send money back to family and friends still living in poor larities, but our differences that bring us together.” towns and villages so they can build mosques and continue in During the panel discussion, many of the panelists made their faith lives. a connection between food and hospitality, so it seemed fitting Father Rourke expressed the importance of the act of the event culminated in attendees and organizers joining in a giving back as well. He spoke of the Catholic tradition of the meal that included food from all of the faiths and cultures repoffertory, which is the part of the Catholic mass when the conresented at the event. The food line grew longer as more people gregation is asked to give money to the parish. He explained filtered through the LLBCC. In the tradition of hospitality, that through sacrificing some money, people can hope to be those organizing the event welcomed all students and faculty using any amount of their privileges that they can to better the present in the LLBCC to come and join them over a meal.They world around them. “To be able to worship God properly, we joined in conversation over pretzels, dates, baklava, potato have to be willing to serve our brothers and sisters,” Fr. Rourke latkes, rice and halal and mini vegetable samosas. said.

In conversation, another Interfaith Peer Leader, Carlin Following the panel discussion, students were invited to Fournier ‘22 said, “we want everyone to understand that we are browse the surrounding tables that had information and preall human beings, and that is what unites us. That is where we sentations put together by various faith-related organizations can find commonality.” on campus.

Colleen Vann/The Mirror

A poster made by a student that was on display at the Festival of Faiths event in the Lower BCC on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019.

Opinion

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THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

Opinion

Editor Catherine Santangelo» catherine.santangelo@student.fairfield.edu

Instagram Hiding Likes Will Positively Transform the Platform

By Gabrielle Arlotta Contributing Writer

It was just the other day that I was scrolling through my Instagram account and I reflected on the red hearts on the screen that represent likes. I often ask myself, “What do these likes even mean?”

Well, it seems like Instagram and I are on the same page. According to CNN, the social media platform is looking to test out hiding the number of likes a post gets on the social media platform as a way to decrease the competitive pressure that comes along with the platform .

In an attempt to stamp down on competitive pressure on the platform, Instagram now hides likes for "some" users in the United States, which started last week. The Facebook-owned plat-

Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

form had already put this test in place in seven countries including Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand, as reported by CNN. Is this change absolutely necessary? Not really. Our lives should not rely on social media enough to let the appearance of likes ruin our day. However, this switch is a great test to see what users will post, knowing their content is no longer subjected to the number of likes it gets. Instead, their content can be what they actually want to post. Although CNN did state that posting on Instagram can come with a rush of validation when likes from friends and strangers come pouring in, I wonder if the feeling would be the same if you're the only one who can see your personal amount of likes.

I also think about famous ‘Instagramers’ with the iconic blue check mark, ones whose posts are sponsored and people who actually get paid by the number of likes and followers their posts reach out to. Will having the likes be private to the user be the end of a social media influencer industry? Or will these sponsored posts and advertising companies still find a way to make the app a career path?

Business Insider reported that celebrities and influencers are at the forefront of those expressing backlash. Celebrity rapper Nicki Minaj took to Twitter stating, “I’m not posting on IG after this week cuz they removing the likes. Hmmmm what should I get into now?

Think of all the time I’ll have with my new life.” Business Insider further explained, “Cardi B took to Instagram to protest the feature, arguing that removing likes wouldn't make Instagram any less toxic because ‘the comments affect more than the likes.’”

As someone who is an average Instagram user, only getting 10-20 comments per post on a good day, I cannot really relate to these celebrities. Cardi B gets millions of comments from strangers all around the world, so it is understandable why this may concern her. This idea though is a great example on how this change could affect users specifically depending on their usage of the platform and follower count.

I am considered an average, small Instagramer, and I feel relieved at the idea that the likes my posts get could be out of an equa-

tion. Similarly, CNN reported Photo Courtesy of @gzt Instagram some users too have so far expressed relief about the move to hide likes. In the future, if this test turns into a permanent property, I see myself as an Instagram user being more open and posting freely, as opposed to waiting for the perfect time to post in hopes that the most users are on the platform and will see it.

It’s a sad and unsettling reality that so much thought goes into one post, but maybe this shift can make Instagram a better and more creative space. In the end, there are going to be users that will strongly object to this potential change and others who won’t sweat it. This of course will be determined mostly by the amount of interaction each user puts into the platform in their everyday lives.

This test and idea can absolutely get Instagram to the better place it wants to be in. This smaller change will transform Instagram as a whole, but will also shift the way the world chooses to use the social media application. As always though, social media users will find a way to adapt and continue to put their best selfie forward.

No Training is Worth Harming Someone's Mental, Physical and Emotional Health

By Grace Gelep Contributing Writer

Whatever training or support that Salazar provided for Cain was completely destructive and irresponsible. He reduced her worth down to what her weight was, and pushed her body until it nearly broke down. Although many Olympic-bound athletes push their bodies to the limits, this is so different. This is Mary Cain was on her way to becoming an Olympic track star until abuse, proven by Cain’s terrible physical health and emotional trauma from that time in her life. Another forshe joined a training system that neglected the health of female athletes and Amy Yoder Begley, tweeted that she was kicked out of the program mer Oregon Project trainee, promoted unhealthy and even dangerous nutrition methods. and ‘had the biggest butt on the starting line.’” This kind of insulting because she was “too fat Cain was a national record-breaking track star at just 17 years old, and pearances is unacceptable and is not even relevant to athletic ability, of athletes’ apbecame the youngest athlete to make a world championship team. In 2013, during Cain explained to the New York Times, she ran worse when on Salabecause as her freshman year of college, she signed and worked full time with the elite track diet. A woman’s size should not be a contender in her performance, and z a r ’s training program, Nike Oregon Project, run by world-famous track coach Alberto it is completely unfair to hold women athletes to these weight standards that Salazar. men easily escape. Men, like Salazar, should not be the ones to decide what a The Oregon Project was launched in 2001 by the shoe company, Nike, with intenwoman’s body should look like, especially when the emphasis is on thinness rather tions to train American distance runners to become the fastest athletes in the world. The than strength and health. program bred many Olympic athletes and medalists, as reported by Runners World. But instead Another issue at play here is that Cain was trained similarly to the male athletes in the of encouraging healthy competition and giving them support, the organization, and especially program. The New York Times explains that when female athletes are forced to meet the developSalazar, pushed numerous athletes to their breaking point, Cain being one of them. ment standard of male athletes, their body will not be able to handle it. The fact that the Oregon Cain’s weight was a huge problem for the trainers at the Oregon Project. They were conProject did not have an informed trainer that understood the developmental process and limits of vinced that in order for her to be better, she must become thinner. Salazar and his trainers presthe female body is careless and favors the male athletes in the program. This further emphasizes a sured her to be at a certain weight and constantly reminded her of it with weigh-ins in front of weight and strength standard in this program that the men and women athletes are expected to other teammates, Cain told the New York Times. Former Nike athlete Cam Levins admitted on fulfill, but it was made only for the men.

Twitter that even he was aware of the trainers’ obsession with her weight, “as if it were the single Nike released a statement saying that the complaints made by Cain had never been thing standing in the way of great performances.” raised to them before, and that Cain actually requested to work with Salazar again as recently The number on a scale has absolutely nothing to do with athletic greatness. Of course as April of 2019, the New York Times reports. To this, Cain replied that this desire to train with it makes sense that having less weight to carry makes you run faster, but pushing these athletes Salazar again was a direct result of his abuse to her, because she continually wanted to prove to become underweight, as Salazar did to Cain, can have serious health and mental effects, and herself to him. This is completely understandable and goes to show how much Salazar manipumake them feel like they’re not good enough. While training at the Oregon Project, Cain started lated her mind into thinking that his methods were the only way to win and gain his approval. to develop osteoporosis and RED-S Syndrome, which is a condition that can result in female Nike will also be launching an investigation into the Oregon Project, which has now been shut athletes losing their periods due to disordered eating, eventually decreasing their bone health, down due to doping allegations against Salazar. It is great that the Oregon Project and Salazar’s according to UW Health. Cain told the New York Times that she lost her period for three years abusive training methods have been stopped, but Nike only shut it down because of illegal and broke five bones. She also suffered suicidal thoughts and began cutting herself, which doping, paying no mind to the damage the program did to athletes like Cain. Nike owes it to Salazar did nothing about even when she told him. The Oregon Project didn’t the athletes of the Oregon project to recognize Salazar’s mistreatment of athletes even have a sports psychologist or nutritionist that could help Cain through the Pictured: Olympic track star Mary Cain and ensure this will never happen again.

Photo Courtesy of @WHO Twitter mental and physical abuse she was receiving.

Editorial Board "Always Have Something To Look Forward To" Lexi Thimble Editor-in-Chief

The 2019 fall semester is rapidly coming to a close, and if you’re anything like myself, you’re freaking out right about now. If you’re really similar to me, then you’re also a senior who’s facing down your last fall semester as an undergrad, and if you’re especially like me, you’re also in the middle of your capstone paper which is, to put it mildly, really stressful! You’ve also got other papers, exams and presentations to finish, and somewhere along the way you’re somehow supposed to take care of yourself? Does anyone actually know how to make time for that? I’m asking for a friend (the friend is me, I’m the friend).

Regardless of this mad dash of the next month or so, I have found there are one or two things that have helped me mitigate the craziness in the past.

First and foremost is some sound advice from my dad: ‘It’s always encouraging to have something to look forward to.’ When we talk about things to look forward to, usually he’s invoking this advice as a way to support my impulse-buying of concert tickets I

don’t really need, but I find it to be widely applicable in other ways as well. Time, whether we like it or not, will not stop moving forward, so while your deadlines are moving closer and closer on the treadmill of time, so is the time beyond those deadlines. The sun will rise and set over and over again over the next few weeks, and there will be moments beyond that presentation you’re dreading; there will be a 12 a.m. beyond the 11:59 p.m. when your final paper is due.

The best way to focus on those beyond moments is to have something tangible to hang on to that’ll get you through. For example (and I’m really not trying to brag or anything), the main thing getting me through this week is the Hozier concert I’m going to on Friday. What got me through last week was the premiere of season three of “The Crown” on Netflix on Sunday. The week before that I honestly can’t remember because again, time won’t stop moving! My point still stands.

I’ve also found it helpful to set personal limits

for myself and my emotional bandwidth. It’s this idea of the time that I can physically give to something versus what I can emotionally, mentally give. Can I have that group project meeting at 2 p.m. on a Wednesday when I haven’t eaten yet that day and really should?

I could physically, yes. But should I also consider all the moments I’ve had to spend on work this week as well, and know that one more thing going on in an already packed day is going to make things that much harder for me? Just because you can doesn’t mean you should, and although sometimes you don’t have the choice not to, find those optional moments and treat your mind kindly if you find you haven’t been doing so recently.

We will eventually live in those beyond moments, and even though there are assignments and more school in between us and those moments, I wish everyone the best of luck in getting there. Find that point to focus on, treat yourself kindly and, just maybe, we can pull this thing off.

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

Opinion

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The Holiday Season Only Increases Our Excessive Consumer Culture

By Stella Henry Contributing Writer

Halloween is over, and in the United States, that means one thing: the holiday shopping season is underway.

It will officially begin on Black Friday, which is only 24 hours after Thanksgiving, the day where most people profess to be thankful for what they have (while eating almost to the point of throwing up and then running a 5K to burn off the extra calories). In the span of a single day we go from being thankful for what we have to rushing out to shopping malls in an attempt to get the best deals, even if it means shoving and trampling other people. This represents a supreme irony. As if Black Friday wasn’t enough, now that the internet is a thing, there’s also Cyber Monday, commonly regarded as the biggest online shopping day of the year.

These events are only the beginning, and even then, in name only, because the holiday shopping season actually runs all the way until after the New Year’s Day. In recent years most retailers like Target and Walmart have offered holiday discounts and sold Christmas-themed merchandise starting as early as mid-to-late October in order to capitalize on a season that they feel is too short to profit from.

Sadly, it seems that some view making money as the only reason for the season.

Christmas, contrary to popular belief, has never really been anything other than a Pagan holiday, according to History.com. It was originally celebrated by Europeans as kind of winter Solstice centuries before Jesus was even born, and Christians only much later adopted Dec. 25 as the “birthday” of Christ (he was actually born sometime in the spring). Eventually, around the late 1800s, Santa Claus came on the scene. Based on a Turkish monk named Saint Nicholas who traveled around helping the poor and sick, he evolved into a jolly, overweight old man who rides a sleigh with the help of his reindeer and defies physics by squeezing himself down chimneys. It was then that Christmas and gift-giving started to grow inextricably linked, and today there are thousands upon thousands of Christmasthemed products and materials, including Christmas trees, ornaments, cards, movies, songs, books, clothes, food, toys and more.

Most people by now are so used to this materialism that it doesn’t strike them as being in the least bit odd, but what other holiday has that much merchandise that is based

off it? Sure, there’s Halloween candy, costumes and a few books and movies, and people buy firecrackers and barbecue supplies for the Fourth of July. However, these still pale in comparison to Christmas, which is basically the culmination of what we do all year round, just in smaller doses: buying, eating and drinking things we don’t really need at all, and only do so because retailers give us an excuse to. Think about it.

Would you still own at least some of the things you own if t h e r e were no holi-

day shopping season? No, you wouldn’t, because your family and friends wouldn’t feel obligated to buy them for you in that case. And because research from Scientific American has shown that most of us aren’t very good at guessing what the people we know even want, let alone need, a significant percentage of gifts end up getting returned anyway, as reported by Fortune, which pretty much defeats the whole purpose.

Christmas (and many other holidays for that matter) is also an excuse to overeat and, for some, to get drunk, both of which are wasteful and unhealthy, especially given that a lot of people around the world are starving to death. But don’t most of those who are more fortunate donate to the needy around Thanksgiving and Christmas? Although people do tend to be more charitable around the holidays, they tend not to perpetuate that spirit of giving all year round, which is a shame, because the poor don’t just stop being poor once December is over.

All of this is to say nothing of the fact that, in our capitalistic society, the holidays can be a breeding ground for the abuse of retail workers, who are often forced to work overtime during the days surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas (if not on the days themselves) when they should be spending time with loved ones. What’s more, in the mob rushes that take place during the Christmas season, shoppers and store employees alike have been injured and even trampled to death in past years, because some apparently care more about getting the last discounted toaster oven or flat-screen TV than respecting other human beings. The first recorded Black Friday-related death took place in 2008, according to The New York Times, when shoppers at Walmart rushed in the door and stomped all over a 34-year-old employee, causing him to suffocate.

Since then, numerous other deaths and injuries have taken place, and although the chances of anyone getting harmed while Christmas shopping is still very slim, it just goes to show that the commercialization of Christmas has gone way too far.

So this Black Friday, and for that matter, all the days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, take some time to reconsider going shopping, because chances are good that you and your loved ones already have all that you need, and if you don’t, you probably can’t afford to buy anything anyway.

Creative Commons/Needpix.com, Public Domain Files

Calling for Kindness is Exactly What Our World Needs Right Now

By Kerre Lanttanzio Contributing Writer

Kindness is a characteristic that is now expressing it raises questions of concern, the potential of being labeled as a social due to the

considered to be so rare that arouses confusion and risks outcast by those affected characteristic’s infrequent appearances in modern society.

If there are any social outcasts in the world, especially in the affluent, infamously out-of-touch pop star bubble, P!nk is one of them. The singer-songwriter is notorious for saying exactly what is on her mind, going after what she wants and not fitting the stereotypical superstar image.

She doesn’t let fame ever taint her name vocally, creatively or humanely. At the People’s Choice Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons Awards on Nov. 10, P!nk took it upon herself to highlight a simple charactershadows - kindness. istic that has recently been left in the those in attendance and at home watching Within seconds of receiving the award, were all made aware that for P!nk there was more to it than just receiving another title.

“I grew up in a family of activists…but I know that one person can make a difference,” P!nk said according to a YouTube video posted by Access. “I care about decency, and humanity and kindness.

Kindness today is an act of rebellion. There are people that don’t have what you have. Help them get it.”

The fiery acceptance speech is exactly the type of wake-up call and message Americans and individuals around the world needed to hear.

Now, you might think, ‘This just typical award show behavior,’ ‘Haven’t we all heard an inspirational speech before?’ and ‘P!nk is just another celebrity, receiving another award, saying another long speech on another brutally long, hard, definitely 9 to 5 and minimum-wage paid day.’ So why would you care, right? Because this wasn’t any ordinary speech - it was a call to action.

As a pop culture guru myself, I appreciate the punk, candid, foul-mouthed and straightforward energy that instantly radiates from P!nk’s presence on stage. Her personality contains qualities that are so rare and not often found in the music industry. No, she isn’t phony. No, she’s not using her speech time to promote a new song, clothing line or makeup brand. Yes, she is standing up for what she believes in and is speaking the cold, hard truth. If she doesn’t, then who will? Justin Bieber? The members of One Direction? It’s P!nk’s unique authenticity that lets her stand out from the shallowness of the industry. P!nk isn’t just an ordinary celebrity. She’s an activist.

In a time filled with so much chaos and political turmoil domestically and internationally, it’s not hard to forget to be optimistic while being constantly badgered with the negative. Celebrities have access to most experiences, benefits, items - you name it - that the average person does not have. With fame,

it’s easy to live comfortably while showing little to no concern or acknowledgement of the outside world or where you came from. However, P!nk’s speech informed us that she is aware of the numerous imperfections that lie outside the world of fame, politically, socially, mentally and economically - all of which are facing our country currently. She didn’t use the platform to further flaunt or promote her fame because she understood that it could not serve as the solution to the world and society’s problems. Rather, P!nk expressed that the solution lies within us, and it can be expressed through performing simple acts of kindness.

So instead of rolling your eyes at her speech, give it a listen.

Being reminded to be kind is the type of reality check that you, the country and the world need right now. So in honor of P!nk, be a social outcast. Be kind.

It’s more fun to look from the outside in, especially when P!nk is your company.

Pictured: Singer-songwriter P!nk posing at the People's Choice Awards Photo Courtesy of @etalkCTV Twitter

The Vine

arts, entertainment, features

Editor Gracianne Eldrenkamp gracianne.eldrenkamp@student.fairfield.edu

FrĂŠdĂŠrick Gravel is Footloose in

'Fear and Greed' Photo Courtesy of Nans Bortuzzo CreativeCommons/Pixabay

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Frédérick Gravel Leaps into the Quick Center

By Mimi Loughlin Contributing Writer

Gravel then picked up his guitar, his character returning to creation, away from destruc-

tion.

“The stars don’t care, but I do. The gods don’t care, but I do,” Gravel sang.

Frédérick Gravel, the Canadian choreographer, dancer, musician and lighting designer, As Gravel pushed and pulled against his own reflection, ebbing waves of a tide at sea, he performed his latest show, “Fear and Greed,” at the Regina A. Quick Center on Saturday, Nov. sang, “Sing to me a lullaby, about something else but fear and greed,” reminiscent of a time of 17, the final performance of a three-night showing at the Quick Center. “Fear and Greed” is part simplicity. rock-concert, part monologue and part dance. It tells the story of a man who battles the twin I liked how the narrative was structured so that audience members could create the story in forces within himself: the need to create artwork and the fear that art will never be enough to their own minds. There were limitless possibilities and understandings, as Gravel’s work breaks balance out his innate greed, which could lead to his destruction. the boundaries that fear and greed place on people by creating a unifying experience that caused When I went for the Saturday show, the entire stage was packed, as all the audience mem- viewers to reflect on their own lives and carry this sense of freedom and unity into their own bers were seated in bleachers on the stage. lives and relationships.

At the start of the show, Frédérick Gravel was perched on a brown crate in the center of the Sophomore Erica Lynch said that she liked the performance. “I thought it was expressive stage, a can of Miller Lite beer on the floor to his right, a brown guitar to his left. Dressed in a and empowering and an interesting commentary on how fear can be inspiring,” she remarked. black leather jacket with fringes on the edges and a full gray pajama set, he resembled a rock star As Frédérick Gravel himself said in a 2019 interview with Diane Jean, “I willingly put myin repose. As he stepped off of the brown crate and lay on the floor, he reached out one hand self through a journey…not of control, but of abandon. That’s what interests me.” towards the silver beer can. He turned away from it and grabbed his guitar and began to play a “That’s what frightens me.” folk song which epitomized the artist’s struggle between creation and self-destruction.

Gravel moved slowly, his shadow rising on the curtain behind him, his precise dance movements delineating the human need to search for direction. Powerfully, almost aggressively, guitar and drums began to blast from the speakers. For moments I wondered if the music was live and the band was just hidden somewhere backstage or if the music was a high-quality recording. Exploring these liminal spaces between reality and imagination, the uncertainty of everyday existence, is where this production shone.

One of my favorite moments in the show was when Gravel pulled back the curtains of the Quick to reveal the full rock band (Nicolas Basque and Jean-Luc Huet on bass guitar and guitar and José Major on drums) and Gravel began to sing original music by Basque, Philippe Brault, Gravel and Major.

The psychedelic red, green, blue, purple and pink stage lights shone above the stage as Gravel swayed back and forth, his character in a search for direction, in a search for his true self.

At the end of the second-to-last song, Gravel sprayed the beer can above his head and began to dance on top of the fallen beer, depicting the modern bacchanalia: the greed of modernity, for more money, for seduction, for more life, for more everything. Gravel’s dance showed how some fear is necessary, but excess fear and greed leads Photo Courtesy of @fairfieldquickcenter Facebook to destruction.

Gravel dances in "Fear and Greed."

Disney+ is an A+ Streaming Service

By Michael Riggi Contributing Writer

After months of anticipation, Disney has finally released their streaming service Disney+, with a slew of classic fan favorites and new original content behind it. Although the service might not boast as much content as other platforms and was swamped with technical malfunctions on launch day, Disney+ is impressive nonetheless and a must-have for fans of the company and its major intellectual properties (IPs).

At its core, Disney+ is everything it was promised to be and more. One of the most noticeable aspects users will find when they first create their account is how clean and sleek the interface is compared to other platforms. Disney+ takes the best elements of other streaming interfaces and combines them together, making content accessible and easy to navigate.

Disney+ is also unique in the sense that it breaks down its content by its different IPs. The initial feeling of satisfaction seeing most of the episodic “Star Wars” films and “Marvel Cinematic Universe Films” finally together in one place is beyond words and an impressive feat to say the least. From exclusive behindthe-scenes content to even the different profile icons available from different series, Disney+ truly feels like a culmination of decades of work brought “home.”

The new streaming service also comes with a host of other impressive features, such as offline downloading, the ability for multiple profiles to stream simultaneously and even 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) on select shows and movies. Undeniably though, Disney+ shines first and foremost with its wide array of animated and live-action content.

Even with the disadvantage of entering the streaming world late in the game, Disney+ is able to boast an impressive library of content at launch. From “Snow White and

the Seven Dwarfs” to “Moana,” Disney+ truly spans across decades of classics and has nearly everything fans can dream of with additional new original shows and movies as well.

Stealing the spotlight of Disney+ exclusives is the new Star Wars spin-off show “The Mandalorian,” which marks an exciting return to form for the series. Especially in the midst of a divided fan-base, the first episode of the show (helmed by Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau) was a thrilling and promising new start for the entirety of the franchise moving forward.

Other notable exclusive content available at launch included a live-action “Lady and the Tramp” remake, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” and “The World According to Jeff Goldblum.” “The Imagineering Story” is also another new standout series on the platform that delves into the history of Disney theme parks around the world and the imagineers behind them.

Although these originals are for the most part worth the price of admission, it is worth noting that Disney+ releases new episodes of shows weekly rather than all at once like other services. This can be a little off-putting at first, especially since many of these shows have the potential to be binge-worthy, but it does give viewers a reason to keep checking back every week.

Disney+ also certainly continues the company’s tradition of having a more family-oriented appeal, meaning adults and more mature audiences may struggle to find content that interests them on the platform. Apart from a few interesting documentaries, content on the platform specifically aimed at older audiences is few and far between.

While not quite up to par with other platforms as of now, Disney+ certainly has the potential to become the new king of streaming services. Backed by interesting content and classic-Disney charm, Disney+ will undoubtedly give other companies such as Netflix a run for their money after building up a larger library in the near future.

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

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Star Wars Soars in Quality

By Tyler Zikias Film Columnist

If you asked any Star Wars fan what the state of the franchise was like just under two years ago, you’d receive responses along the lines of, “Disney is ruining Star Wars,” “They just want my money” and “They have no idea what they’re doing.” In December of 2017, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was released in theaters, resulting in one of the biggest divides in cinematic history between those who loved the film and those who despised it. To this day, the film remains one of the most hotly debated movies of all time.

Also around this time, video game developer, Electronic Arts, was still attempting to retrace their steps after they released “Star Wars: Battlefront II” with minimal game modes and a progression system solely based on additional transactions with real money. Adding fuel to the fire, the yet-to-bereleased “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was plagued with production problems, including a change in director and rumors of an acting coach being brought to set. The franchise and fandom alike were in shambles, but my goodness how the tables have turned. This fall/winter season alone is proving to be an angelic period in Star Wars content that is getting fans buzzing.

First and most simply, the release of Disney+ allows anyone with the service to watch every Star Wars movie and television series in stunning 4K resolution for the first time ever. Fans and newcomers alike can stream at their leisure the classics that made the franchise popular, as well as the lesser-seen, “The Clone Wars,” “Rebels” and “Resistance” TV.series.

However, the most popular content to come out of Disney+ thus far is the new series from creator Jon Favreau, “The Mandalorian.” The show follows a gun-slinging bounty hunter, played by Pedro Pascal, with a mysterious past and his adventures in searching for targets. While only two episodes have been released so far, the show already has a strong sense of what Star Wars visual media is supposed to look and feel like. The show is unlike anything the franchise has produced before but immediately feels familiar from its tone and production design. There is a clear love for the material that Favreau, as showrunner, exhibits through every frame. Since Disney+ is releasing episodes weekly instead of all at once, social media hype will allow it to gain traction and attention

with every episode that airs. Personally, I think “The Mandalorian” is the perfect placeholder for Star Wars right now. When anticipation is building for the next film, I’m over the moon that they delivered a show of this caliber to hold me over.

Respawn Entertainment, a division of Electronic Arts, recently released the video game “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” on Xbox One, PS4 and PC, and it is truly a masterwork of Star Wars storytelling. The game follows Cal Kestis, a Jedi Apprentice who survived the Jedi Purge during the events of “Revenge of the Sith,” as he battles the Empire and searches for hope to restore the Jedi Order. After the commercial and critical disaster of “Battlefront II,” Star Wars fans deserved a new game that would immerse them in a galaxy far, far away like so many other games have in the past. I am only about halfway through my playthrough of “Fallen Order” and it is absolutely my favorite Star Wars game ever. I feel like ram tag ns I I have stepped inside n ia lor the shoes of Cal and da n ma can relate to his journey e th of searching for purpose. f @ o y es The gameplay is incredibly urt o C smooth and presents the best lighto t o Ph saber combat ever, allowing the user to feel both powerful and vulnerable at the same time.

When the player squares off against other lightsaber-wielding enemies, tensions run extremely high, as it truly feels like you might be overmatched. The game is challenging without ever becoming frustrating, which is essential when there’s an incredible story to take in. If you have a gaming console and are a Star Wars fan, this is a high recommendation from me.

Star Wars and the team at Lucasfilm have absolutely regained their footing after a few rocky years handling this franchise. Both “The Mandalorian” and “Jedi: Fallen Order” are welcome additions to a gallery filled with amazing Star Wars stories. We just got two amazing pieces of media in addition to the fact that “The Rise of Skywalker,” the final movie in the Skywalker Saga, is coming to theaters in less than a month! Yeah, it’s a pretty incredible time to be a Star Wars fan.

Concept art shows The Mandalorian.

The Art Corner Soft Boy

By Gracianne Eldrenkamp '20 This has been in my drafts forever, and I finally finished it. I don’t use a reference as often as I should, but I did for this one, and I think it improved it a lot.

CreativeCommons/Pixabay

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

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Breaking Down Madewell and J.Crew

By Sabrina Trueheart Fashion Columnist As college students, it is likely that many of us have some or a lot of clothing from Madewell, J.Crew or both in our closets. You may love J.Crew, you may love Madewell or you may think both of the company’s clothes are a bit too expensive. But, we can’t deny that the clothes that come from these two companies are the definition of high-quality fashion that isn’t outrageously pricey. Plus, the jeans, tops, dresses and accessories that come out of J.Crew and Madewell are super stylish and on-trend. If you follow the business of fashion on LinkedIn, you may have seen articles in recent years about Madewell “outshining” J.Crew or J.Crew “losing sales to Madewell.” You may have thought to yourself after reading these headlines, why are these two companies so often pitted against each other, and why should it matter?

Here’s the scoop: both Madewell and J.Crew operate under the J.Crew Group, which is a retailer that was founded in 1947 by Mitchell Cinder and Saul Charles. The J.Crew group also owns the J.Crew Factory, which is the outlet of the J.Crew brand. Since Madewell and J.Crew are the two big-name clothing stores that are owned by the J.Crew Group, there’s bound to be competition between the two. The two are so similar, yet so different from each other. What is similar between Madewell and J.Crew is clearly their marketing strategies. The way their promotional emails are written, the casual-yet-witty copy seen on both of their websites’ homepages and the copy of their clothing descriptions are very similar in style.

The difference between these two companies is their style and target audience – J.Crew caters to young professionals and can also appeal to middle-aged working professionals, while Madewell caters to young, hip women and men who are dressing snappy-casual. Both Madewell and J.Crew sell casual and stylish clothing, however Madewell offers more casual wear-to-work-everyday clothing while J.Crew offers more wear-to-important-interview clothing. One of my favorite Madewell pieces is their Flannel Bromley Shirt. I have this in my closet and it’s a high-quality flannel that I could even wear to work! A favorite of mine from J.Crew is their Excursion Vest. This year, they’ve bumped it up a few notches by making it with recycled poly, and in honey yellow! J.Crew has an entire section of the store and website dedicated to professional work attire. Madewell sells very few professional clothes such as blazers or suit pants and skirts. But, most of their pieces are definitely work-appropriate, and absolutely make their way into my work wardrobe!

The important thing is that both of these companies create clothing that is on-trend, work-appropriate and high-quality. If you’re torn on whether you should ask for that J.Crew or Madewell gift card for the holidays, think about what you need to make a great impression at your workplace. Students in fields where it is expected that you dress professionally on most days, such as finance or accounting, may benefit more from J.Crew’s wear-to-work section. Students who are in the fields of education or the arts or humanities may benefit more from Madewell’s snappy casual clothing options. The truth of the matter is that most if not all college students need that one professional outfit to feel confident in and ace that interview with. If you want work-appropriate clothing that is not too overpriced or matronly, J.Crew and Madewell are both great companies to buy your clothing from!

Photo Courtesy of @jcrew Instagram

Model displays J.Crew's fashion.

The Mirror Abroad: Just a Moment with Molly

By Molly Lamendola Abroad Columnist I’ve got two words for you this week: sleeping car. Though in the United States, no one really takes trains anymore, especially for far distances or even onto islands, Europe does. I took a train from London to Amsterdam during fall break, traveling underwater for some of the journey. And then on my trip to Sicily this weekend, they split the train in half and threw us onto a ferry.

That’s how my journey at least started. Just after a quick two-hour train ride from Florence to Rome, we hopped into a train with cars with beds instead of seats. The concept of this is fascinating to me.

I struggled through the night with sleep: a couple of hours here, a half an hour there. So in my many hours of free time that evening and early morning, I was stuck watching endless amounts of “Archer” and wondering just who was this service for?

A family on a weekend trip? A businessman rushing to a meeting in Sicily?

In a world where we rush from thing to thing, I couldn’t think about anyone other than my school group who would want to take this 12-hour journey.

Which probably worked out in our favor, as 40 or so of us could snag two full train cars of beds for the way there and the way back.

We arrived too early to check-in on the way there. So with a quick bite of breakfast (some moist cake thing and an incredibly large cup of black coffee to help my less than functioning brain process information), we were off on a walking tour of the Sicilian town of Catana.

Unlike many cities in Italy, where there’s a Fran- Lamendola in front of a Greek theatre. kenstein-like patchwork of styles, Catana is different.

Usually, centuries and centuries of architects would build buildings based on what was popular at the time, but Cantana is mostly the style of Baroque. Highly dramatic, with lots of twisting and turning; you’d know it if you saw it.

This style is due to the original Catana city being completely destroyed by earthquakes and a volcanic eruption at the end of the 17th century. It forced the little city to rebuild even with the still active Mt. Etna looming behind them, reminding them that it could very easily all happen again.

This mountain doesn’t look too scary while climbing it. My friend even saw a mountain dog just before we started our “hike” who was incredibly friendly. I mean, less friendly after a guide walked over to her and said, “Please don’t pet that dog, we know him, he has fleas and parasites.”

Yuck.

And I am not an athlete. I was always the kid to walk the mile in gym class with my friends. So the concept of climbing up a volcano in the cold doesn’t really appeal to me. I mean, honestly, it did a bit more after we were told we were hiking towards our lunch spot.

But none of us dressed appropriately for this hike.

Sorry to my guide in his heavy winter coat and actual lace-up hiking boots, I did not pack in my one little suitcase Emergency Mountain Boots, nor did I say to myself, “Well you never know!” while throwing in a pair of hiking sticks.

I mean, I was doing better than the two kids from upstate New York attempting to prove something by making the climb in nothing but a t-shirt and a beanie.

And the hike, after the initial couple heaves and hoes and general complaints from the group, was genuinely kind of nice.

The views were extraordinary and a couple of cute pictures were taken to send home to mom. Our bellies were filled with some warm pasta and then we were off to Taormina.

Taormina is a unique gem in Italy. As on any high-ish point in the city, you can get some extraordinary pictures. The water is almost ridiculously blue and with all the earthy tones of the town itself, it looks like the unreal background picture of a Windows computer.

We were here for the ruins of the Greek theatre.

Ruins would be a bit of an exaggeration, as a good portion of the theatre still exists. So with a little bit of help from a guide in some lovely blue eyeshadow and blue sunglasses, we could really see what the Greeks were up to in their free time.

Molly Lamendola/The Mirror These Greeks must have had calves of steel! The steps all around the complex are just freaking massive, and the city itself is built on a bit of a hill. Meaning you’re usually either walking up to something or down to something. Even just to ice cream, as Sicily is known for its gelato, I felt like I was working out for my dessert.

Part of the reason you go to Sicily is for the food. Some gelato here, then a potato pizza there and of course the famous arancini. For those unaware, it’s basically a breaded fried ball full of rice and other goodies. It’s freaking delicious. I had a ball stuffed with ham and cheese and thought I had left this sphere of reality and entered another one ruled by the Arancini Clan.

This ridiculous lunch was of course followed by a three-course meal for dinner because…

Italy. And I had just enough substance in my body to completely knock me out for the half a day journey back. Thank you Sicily!

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

The Vine

Inkwell Spotlight Robbery Opening

By Paul Bova Treasurer at The Inkwell

CreativeCommons/Pixabay

Black Rock, CT Vapor is coming out of his nose, but he’s not smoking, it’s just cold. 7:14 AM, waiting for his colleague to pick him up outside of his house. A grey Cadillac Sedan is coming down the street. At this time of year, even the paint can’t hide the dirt and slush that’s growing up from the underside. That’s Jason alright. It stops in front of Ryan and the door clicks unlocked.

“C’mon, we’re late.”

Ryan sits down in the passenger seat as the car starts moving.

“Where are we going? You never told me.”

“The courthouse. And a few law firms. I’ve already called ahead but we want to get as much information as possible on our little friends here. And don’t just be quiet and follow right behind me. Either ask questions and get in with all the clerks and assistants, or pay very close attention to how things work. We’ll probably be there for a while.”

Bridgeport is coming into clearer view as the long highway stretches over brown rail yards and off-color buildings. What goes on here? Who knows.

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' M o d e r n L o ve ' Will Make You Cry

By Sheila McCombs Chief Copy Editor Oh, the ever changing concept of love. Throughout the human experience, one of the things that has fascinated people and led to the making of countless books, movies, TV shows and songs is the idea of what love really is and how to describe it. As times have changed, people have become interested with the idea of “modern love.” As times and societal values have changed, so has the concept of what qualifies as love. That is the basis behind The New York Times essay column “Modern Love,” which has featured real stories from regular people about what they believe modern love means and how they have seen its effect in their lives. This column is no new thing at the Times, as it just celebrated its 15th anniversary on Oct. 18. These stories reflect everything about love from the good, like falling in love for the first time, to the tragic, like the effects that a miscarriage can have on a marriage. They become even more impactful when you remember the fact that they are about the real experiences of real people.

The “Modern Love” column has inspired multiple new adaptations like a podcast, a book and, most recently, a TV show. “Modern Love” the show became available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on Oct. 18. I was so excited to be able to see these stories that I have loved so much come to life on screen, and I knew I had to watch the show. So, I grabbed my two most romantic-comedy-savvy friends and we started to watch. Now, I will openly confess that we haven’t been able to watch all eight episodes yet, but I think we have definitely gotten far enough that I can give a complete enough review.

Ok, so I am not going to lie you friends, this show has been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. The best thing about this show is the fact that the episodes aren’t connected and how they are only 30 minutes long. So, if you don’t like one episode, it’s over in a half an hour and there’s something totally new to watch next. This show will make you fall in and out of love as the characters do, something that is both amazing and frustrating in turn. You root

for them to make the right choices, cry when they make mistakes and laugh at the ridiculousness of everything that is love in this day and age. Another part of the show that I have loved is the way that the stories feel so relatable. It seems as though you are hearing a story from your friend, not something that was scripted for a TV show. There is no polishing to make all of the stories have a happy ending, but it is clear that the makers of the show feel like it’s important to keep the organic feelings of the original essays.

Another great part of this show is that it boasts an all-star cast including Tina Fey, Anne Hathway, Andrew Scott, Dev Patel and Andy Garcia. The acting is outstanding. These intimate moments the actors are working with are not the easiest thing to pull off, and every scene of this show is so natural. Even in my favorite episode I have seen so far, “When The Doorman is Your Main Man,” there is little actual dialogue but you can feel all of the emotions throughout because of the quality of acting.

I even cried at the end of this episode because I felt so connected to the characters without them really having to say anything.

Now, I do have to admit some of the episodes are better than others. The show has the tendency to drag at some points where there is no action. This is why the show is really targeted for people who love dramas, romances and romanticcomedies. If you need a lot of action to remain focused on a show, this isn’t really for you.

In conclusion, romance lovers, I have found your new favorite show and it gets five stars from me without question.

Give it a watch, you may even fall in love.

Apple, Cranberry, Crumble–Oh My! Pie

By Gracianne Eldrenkamp Vine Editor Look, I get it– dessert at Thanksgiving is sacred. My mom makes the same pumpkin pie every year, and every year, it’s completely gone by the end of the night. But sometimes, change is good. If your family is willing to allow another kind of dessert at Thanksgiving, it should definitely be this apple cranberry crumble pie.

Does this recipe include a homemade crust? No. Maybe your family makes their crust from scratch but with how hectic Thanksgiving is, I don’t think you have to bother. There’s some pretty tasty premade pie crusts out there, and although homemade crusts are usually better, the premade ones, like Pillsbury’s refrigerated pie crust, do the job very well.

Filling: 3 Granny Smith apples 1 ½ cups cranberries 1/2 cup sugar ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon orange zest 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter Pinch of salt Topping: ¼ cup of butter ⅓ cup of brown sugar ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or a few pinches of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice) ½ cup flour ½ cup chopped pecans Heat oven the 375 degree Fahrenheit. Stir all the filling ingredients together in a large bowl. Roll out premade pie dough into a pie dish and fill with pie filling.

Stir together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Crumble butter in with your hands until mixture resembles crumbled sand. Stir in pecans. Chill until ready to use. Sprinkle crumble on top of pie and bake for 45 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is browned.

Let the pie rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting into it. Enjoy!

CreativeCommons/P

ixabay

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20

Coffee Break

Page 12

Coffee Break Editor: Tobenna Ugwu tobenna.ugwu@student.fairfield.edu

What We Are Thankful For

As the semester draws to a close and Thanksgiving approaches, the Mirror Staff reflected on what we are most thankful for this holiday season.

I am thankful for the Mirror staff and

I am thankful for my mom’s lasagna.

I am thankful for New Girl.

my friends for getting me through the

-Catherine Santangelo

-Julia Crews

end of the semester. -Sheila Mccombs I am thankful that I found my

I am thankful for my given and chosen

I am thankfuk for my sister and all her

family, friends and live music.

support.

-Lexi Thimble

-Julia Lanzilotta.

I am thankful for my mommy, who’s

I am thankful for my capstone film

I am thankful for 25 Days of

food I can’t wait to eat over break.

shoot finally being over.

Christmas for keeping me sane.

-Julia Monteleone

-Gracie Eldrenkamp

-Kat Klima

Stag Card today, and was finally able to get food. -Colleen Vann

Crack the Code In the spirit of giving and being thankful, the Coffee Break Team decided to create a fun cryptogram for you to decipher as you go about your weekly activities. If you are able to decipher the code, send the sentence to us and win a chance of getting featured on our next issue.

CreativeCommons/DiscoveryEducation

Mysterious Bandit Leaves Tully Plate in Trash

By Nathan Schmidt Stagnation Editor-In-Chief

The hunt is on, as Fairfield University reels from an unknown mystery bandit who left a Tully plate in the trash. The plate was found in a meeting room within the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, still bearing the label of the Tully Dining Hall on its face. At this time, the perpetrator of this evil act is still unknown, but the university is ready to respond.

Rumors have spread that the insidious bandit, known informally as the Poacher, was last seen fleeing the nursing building on a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle while wearing a leather jacket and a bandana around their face. The Poacher, most likely so named because everything on campus is about stags somehow, may be responsible for any number of additional heinous crimes at Fairfield, including leaving whiteboard markers out after they’ve dried, and putting the large dumbbells at the top of the rack in the RecPlex.

“Someone is responsible, and we will root them out,” said DPS member Clive Bareth, while tacking up wanted dead-or-alive posters in the Barone Campus Center. “People like to forget that the Society of Jesus was made to fight the Protestant Reformation. You come at us, we’ll come back at you with five times the punch. We’ll throw out five of your plates, Poacher. Mark my words.”

A memorial service will be held for the fallen plate and all of its lost compatriots this Sunday, immediately after the weekly mountain of food waste is removed from the Tully.

Photo contributed by the Stagnation Staff

Read More at: http://myfairfieldstagnation.wordpress.com/

Sports

SPORTS Sports Editor: Julia Lanzillotta julia.lanzillotta@student.fairďŹ eld.edu

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

This Week in Sports: What You Missed

In Case You Missed It: Friday, November 15th -Women's XC NCAA Northeast Regional Championship, 33rd Place -Men's XC NCAA Northeast Regional Championship, 34th Place Saturday, November 16th -Women's Swim & Dive lost at Loyola Maryland, 182-113 -Men's Swim & Dive lost at Loyola

Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University baseball team has announced their captains for the upcoming 2020 season. Seniors Nick Esposito, Dylan Reynolds and Dan Ryan were named the team's leaders for this spring.

The 2019 season was successful for the Stags, when they made it to the MAAC Championship Series and finished with an overall record of 35-25 and went 15-9 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. These 35 wins set a new program standard which they hope to surpass looking ahead.

Reynolds and Ryan held down the outfield in right field and center field respectively. Reynolds lead the conference with just 17 strikeouts in 226 times up at bat. Ryan established his own accolaides, leading the MAAC in his own right with 21 doubles to the season.

Esposito is coming off of an injury which sidelined him for most of the 2019 season, but his unwavering charisma and impressive showing for the seven games that he played before he was injured made him stand out as a leader to his coaching staff.

Their first game is slated for Friday, Feb. 21 in Greensboro, NC.

Maryland, 182-113 -Volleyball lost to Canisius, 3-2 Sunday, November 17th -Volleyball won against Niagara, 3-0 -Women's Basketball lost to Dartmouth, 52-51 -Men's Basketball lost to Loyola Maryland, 84-75 Photo Courtesy of @fairďŹ eldwomensrugby Instagram

The Fairfield University men's and women's rugby program each finished their seasons successful ended this past weekend.

The women, who went 7-2 this season finished eighth in the nation after falling to the Coast Guard Academy on Sunday, Nov. 17 in the National Division II competition.

On the men's side, they competed in the Liberty Rugby Challenge under the lights at Rafferty Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16 solidifying their overall record of 6-4. It was there where they took down the University of Buffalo 48-31. They rank 41st nationally, concluding their best season yet in Division IA rugby.

Upcoming This Week:

Thursday, November 28th -Men's Basketball vs Southern California, ESPN Orlando Invitational, 4:00 p.m.

In this week's issue...

- Volleyball Ends Regular Season On Top, 17-1 MAAC (Pg. 14) - Men's Basketball Drops the Ball in Overtime (Pg. 15)

- Women's Basketball Brings Home First Win of Season (Pg.15) - Field Hockey Finishes Remarkable Postseason Run (Pg. 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

Volleyball Ends Regular Season On Top, 17-1 MAAC

Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Senior Manuela Nicolini dished out 49 assists against Canisius College and another 48 against Niagara University, increasing her career total to 2,942 in her four seasons as a Stag.

By Kevin Stush Contributing Writer The Fairfield University women’s volleyball team (21-4, 16-5 MAAC) had an exciting weekend despite splitting it evenly with a notch in each column. With a disappointing loss on Saturday, Nov. 16 to Canisius College (14-15, 11-6 MAAC) and a win on Sunday, Nov. 17 over Niagara University (13-15, 12-6 MAAC), the Stags have been placed in the one seed for next weekend’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship.

In a five set match, the Stags fell short on Saturday to Canisius, losing 3-2 in terms of sets. Winning set one 28-26 and set three 25-19, Fairfield and Canisius were tied 2-2 going into the last set. However, the Stags fell short, losing that set 15-10.

Fairfield was led in the match by Laura Seeger ‘22 who had 22 kills, and Joelle Battles ‘23 and Julia Kallen ‘22 who had 14 kills apiece. First-year Morgan Doll, Jamie Calandro ‘20 and Sonja Radulovic ‘20 each contributed defensively with 34, 13 and 12 digs respectively. Seeger led the team in points for the match with 22, followed by Battles with 15.5 and Kallen with 15.

Canisius was led by Ella Louissa who had 19 kills, Bree Long who has 27 blocks and

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...

Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

Lexi Thimble Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Nelson who had 15 points.

On Sunday, the Stags game play lead to a much more rewarding outcome. Although they had won three consecutive sets, the Stags defeat over Niagara did not come easily. In all three sets, both teams were incapable of gaining a significant lead, making every set a nail-biter. Fairfield won the first set 25-23, the second 25-22 and the third 25-21.

The Stags were led offensively by Battles, Luci Albertson ‘21 and Kaylie Butts ‘21 who had 12, 9 and 9 kills respectively. Seeger and Battles led the team in points with 13 each and Albertson contributed with 11.5 and Butts with 9.5. Defensively, Fairfield was led by Calandro with 11 digs, Manuela Nicolini ‘20 with 9 digs and Radulovic who had 8.

Niagara was led by Caroline Leitch who had 9 points, Jaycie Roberts who had 7 digs and Cameron Maris who had 4 blocks.

Fairfield is now 22-5 on the season and are 17-1 in the MAAC. The Stags will compete in MAAC Championship tournament on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24. Their first game will be played on Nov. 23 against the winner of the match between Niagara and Marist, which will take place on Friday, Nov. 22.

Your 2019-2020 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Lexi Thimble, Katherine Klima and Julia Monteleone

Favorite Thanksgiving family Are you a Black Friday tradition? or Cyber Monday shopper?

What's your favorite Thanksgiving food?

How did course registration go?

Should college-level athletes be compensated for their work?

Definitely watching the parade in I prefer Cyber Monday so I don't the morning on TV! need to deal with the madness of the mall.

Mashed potatoes no doubt. The holiday isn't complete without them.

As good as it could've, I guess.

Open up more classes @ Fairfield!!!!!!!

I do think they should be paid for the use of their name, image and likeliness. If the school and NCAA can profit off of them, why can't they make money too?

I'm gonna echo the remarks of Having a warm dinner with my family and getting to talk to all the everyone else by saying I'm not relatives I haven't seen in a while. strong enough for Black Friday shopping; this is just a fact I know about myself.

My mom's hosting this year, so for when she reads this I'm gonna say my favorite food is whatever she makes :)

Besides the website moving a little slowly I got everything I needed/ wanted! One more semester to go!

100%, if they have to meet all the demands and time commitments put on them by their coaches and represent the image of the school, they deserve to be compensated.

Cyber Monday because I don't have to fear for my life.

I'm Italian so we always have baked clams and lasagna. The highlight to all of our holiday meals.

Surprisingly well for me. Although it was not kind to a lot of my friends...

I think it would be nice if they got some sort of compensation.

Cyber Monday. You could not pay me to go to any store on Black Friday.

I'm going to piggy back off Kat because it is so true. My family is Italian so most of the food involves fresh tomato sauce and deliciousness.

Painful but successful at least.

I think they should receive something if the school they play for is using them to further their brand.

Family polar bear plunge on Katherine Klima Thanksgiving morning. Definitely Executive Editor wakes ya up...

Sitting around the fire in a food

Julia Monteleone coma with my family.

Managing Editor

Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of November 20, 2019

Page 15

Men's Basketball Drops The Ball in Overtime

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor The Fairfield University men’s basketball program has had a rocky start to their 2019-20 season, going 1-3 overall. They took on Loyola University Maryland (2-3) on Sunday, Nov. 17 in Baltimore, MD where they were defeated 84-74 after forcing the game into overtime. The outcome bore similarities to the game before against Holy Cross where they were defeated 68-63 after regulation time ran out.

The box scores of the first and second halves were identical, as in the first 20 minutes of play each team wracked up 30 points, and in the second they matched each other’s total at 38 a piece. The decision came down to a last-ditch five minute overtime period where Loyola upended Fairfield 16-7 and claimed the win at home. 11 of Loyola’s 16 points came from the free throw line.

The majority of the first half was controlled by Fairfield, as they held a lead until they were up 18-12 when the Greyhounds went on an 8-0 run, leaving the Stags in the dust 20-18.

Graduate student Vincent Eze took credit for 15 points, more than doubling his career-high of seven points. Nine of those were scored in the first 20 minutes, which set the pace for the Stags.

In the final six minutes of the first half, Junior captain Jesus Cruz and Landon Taliaferro ‘20 both put on commendable performances leading the team in points scored as each contributed 17 to the final score. Taliaferro landed a three-point field goal which tied the game 68-68 with 41 seconds remaining. In addition, captain Taj Benning ‘21 scored 14 points.

The Stags are slated to compete at the ESPN Orlando Invitational in Orlando, FL beginning on Thursday, Nov. 28. The team will return home to the George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall on Sunday, Dec. 8 to take on The College of William and Mary (4-1).

Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Calvin Whipple '22 had a 1% free throw percentage against Loyola University Maryland on Sunday.

Women's Basketball Brings Home First Win of Season

Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Redshirt senior Katie Armstrong led Fairfield with 13 points as the only Stag to reach double digits against Dartmouth. She tied redshirt junior Callie Cavanaugh in rebounds, tallying nine on Sunday.

By Kevin Stush Contributing Writer The Fairfield University women’s basketball team (0-2) played two competitive games this week, including their home opener. After a 53-51 win over Long Island University (0-2) in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Nov. 13 and a 52-51 loss at George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall to Dartmouth (2-0) on Sunday, Nov. 17, the Stags are now 1-3 on the 2019-20 season.

With a slow start in Brooklyn, the Stags found themselves down 11-9 after the first quarter. Fairfield and LIU went back and forth in the quarter, with the lead constantly shifting until LIU took the lead for the rest of the quarter with three minutes and fifty-two seconds left. The second quarter did not show much improvement. The Sharks held onto the lead for the entire quarter with the score being 27-23 going into the half.

The beginning of the final half did not demonstrate much promise for Fairfield.

The lead established by LIU continued to grow throughout the third quarter to 42-35.

However, the Stags were not finished yet. Scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter to the Sharks nine, Fairfield regained the lead with one second left after being tied with LIU at 51-51 for the last two minutes of the game.

The Stags game play in Wednesday’s win was led by Callie Cavanaugh ‘21, who had 17 points, and Sam Kramer ‘20 and Lou Lopez-Senechal ‘22, who each had 13 points.

In addition, Cavanaugh and Kramer each had seven rebounds and Rachel Hakes ‘22 had five rebounds and five assists. Lopez-Senechal and Cavanaugh each contributed two blocks to the team’s five along with senior Katie Armstrong’s one. Overall, Fairfield went 22 for 56 on field goals, two for eight on three pointers, and seven for 10 on free throws.

LIU was lead by Brandy Thomas, who had 11 points and five rebounds, Kiara Bell who had eight points and seven rebounds, Shyla Sanford who had seven points and

three field goals and Jeydah Johnson who had seven points and five rebounds.

Fairfield’s home opener on Sunday did not result in the same exciting outcome as Wednesday game. After a hard fought game, the Stags came up short, losing 52-51 to Dartmouth.

With an aggressive first quarter, the Stags found themselves with a 14-8 lead with contributions from Lopez-Senechal, Kramer and Armstrong. Holding onto the lead into half time, Fairfield found themselves up on Dartmouth 29-25 as graduate student Kendra Landy and Cavanaugh began to contribute to Fairfield game play.

Fairfield’s lead diminished slowly as Dartmouth outscored Fairfield 16-10 in the third quarter, with a score of 41-39 going into the final quarter of the game. As Fairfield and Dartmouth both fought to keep a hold of some kind of lead, time continued to diminish and this game would come down to the final seconds. With two minutes and thirtythree seconds left in the game, Fairfield’s Andrea Hernangomez ‘22 made a good layup, bringing the difference to a one point game with a score of 52-51 Dartmouth. With only two seconds left after a Fairfield timeout, Kramer took the last shot of the game, but was unable to solidify a win for the Stags.

In Sunday’s game, Armstrong led the Stags with 13 points, Kramer contributed with nine, and Lopez-Senechal had eight points. Fairfield went 22 for 60 on field goals, three for 16 on three pointers, and four for five on free throws. Dartmouth was led by Annie McKenna who had 14 points, and Paula Lenart and Asha Taylor each had 10.

Fairfield, who is now 1-3 this season, has a two week break before their next game.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, Fairfield will travel to Kingston Rhode Island to play Rhode Island (2-1). Games contributing to the team’s MAAC standings do not start until early 2020. On Thursday, Jan. 2, Fairfield will play Siena (1-3) in Loudonville, NY at 7 p.m. for their first MAAC game.

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports

Week of November 20, 2019

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16

Sports Editor: Julia Lanzillotta » julia.lanzillotta@student.fairfield.edu

Field Hockey Finishes Remarkable Postseason Run

Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Rookie attacker Julianna Kratz finished off a remarkable first campaign as a Stag, amassing 7 goals, 7 assists and 21 combined total points between the 2019 regular season and post season.

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

the next round of the tournament when she scored her first career goal and thrusted her team ahead 3-1.

“Since my freshman year, we wanted to win an NCAA game and now that we finally did that, it’s just the greatest feeling,” said Profita who was responsible for the game-winning goal Their vanguard was untouchable and the unstoppable group of women in black and red would survive another game.

Coach Jackie Kane was radiant after the game and could not sing enough praise about the group of women that she worked with all fall.

"It's been a goal of ours from the start. All season long, this team has surprised me with their work ethic and their dedication to each other. They believe in themselves and they believe in this team. That's what has made this season so special for me,” explained Kane.

Just two days later, the women were scheduled to travel across the state to Storrs, Conn. on unfamiliar turf to challenge the reigning Big East champions University of Connecticut Huskies (19-3) who were ranked second.

Once more, the first half was at a stand-still when not a single goal was recorded for either side. UConn amassed six shots in the first 30 minutes, blowing Fairfield’s offense out of the water who only managed one. In the third period, when Fairfield was awarded a penalty corner, Malen Iglesias ‘22 hit the ball in the vicinity of Kratz who deflected the ball into the goal and put the visiting team on the board first at 38:30.

In the final period, UConn’s Svea Boker pocketed her 23rd goal of the season, knotting the score at one. This equalizer sent the match into overtime, something the Stags knew all too well having made five appearances in extra periods this season. With only 50 seconds into the final-death interval, UConn finished up the game with a goal coming from just inside the circle. The 2-1 loss would bring the Stags to the end of an unforgettable campaign Field hockey’s 2019 run is one for the books, and is a true testament to their unwavering Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk strength and grit.

The Fairfield University field hockey team concluded a remarkable 2019 season in which the program garnered their first National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament victory along with a record number of total wins, finishing the season 19-3 overall, and consecutive wins, with a streak of 12. They remained undefeated 6-0 in the Northeast Conference when they secured the championship title.

After an incredible battle against Rider University on Sunday, Nov. 10 which ended in a 2-1 overtime win, the Stags won the NEC championship game and were given an opening round game at their own University Field. Their NCAA journey would begin against American University (13-6), who was nationally ranked one notch ahead of them at number 23, on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Tournament play began in bone-chilling temperatures, but the Stags were unfazed by the trying conditions and remained determined to defend their pitch. Freezing fans were kept on their toes in the first half, where Fairfield clearly had an offensive edge. In the second period, Fairfield challenged American’s goalkeeper, Fiona Minter, when bullets by Emma Matlach ‘21 and Page Lowry ‘23 forced her to make two saves.

At the beginning of the third period, Fairfield was due for a goal. Matlach answered that call promptly, finding the back of the cage a mere 37 seconds after the whistle sounded when Luzi Persiehl ‘22 came up from the right side and set her up at the center of the circle. They maintained that lead, combatting relentless pressure applied by the opposition who registered five shots, two of which made their way to Fairfield goalie Zoe Rosen ‘21. Two of Rosen’s three saves of the afternoon were back to back in the third. She followed through, batting away an attempt at 34 minutes and 44 seconds and another one with 35 minutes and six seconds on the clock. Time went stale, tasking Fairfield to uphold the upper hand for the fifteen minutes left in regulation time.

Noor Coenen of the Eagles, who ranks fourth in the nation for goals per game averaging .95, had been a threatening force the entire day. With four shots on the game, Coenen posed the biggest threat to the Stags. When she gained control of the ball and sent it towards Josie Formica, Formica was able to squash Fairfield’s lead at 50:33, impelling the winner to be decided in the final minutes of play. Junior Danielle Profita, who leads the Stags in points with 25 comprised of eight goals and nine assists, was made available when she dove and deflected the ball from Julianna Kratz ‘23 at the very end of her stick to the upper section of the net. This gave the Stags an uncomfortable one-goal lead which they would need to sustain for the final eight minutes of play.

Efforts by Mackenzie Boyle ‘22 with under three minutes outThe team celebrates their 3-1 victory over American University. standing gave Fairfield the cushion they needed to claim their ticket to