It seemed as though this game had a lot of people's interest as College Rugby Wrap Up and Goff Rugby Report included previews in their weekly segments. Led by Captain and 8-man Nick Lapponese '23, he and his fellow seniors have been building and preparing for this contest since the fall of 2019. As first-year students, the Class of 2023 played Iona in an exhibition that saw Iona dominate them 54-38. After that game, Lapponese, Connor Rinklin '23 (captain), Stephen Ryan '23 (team president), John Thompson '23, and Ben Ehlers '23 all agreed that they wanted to lead their team to a higher standard. Joined by their fellow classmates Victor Zurowski '23, John Rehill '23, Brady Lewis '23, Tyler Toothman '23, and graduate students John Minogue 'grad and Danny Enright 'grad, they all circled this game on their calendar as the day they would put the country on notice!

It was clear from the moment they left the locker rooms and started their warm-ups that the Red Ruggers meant business. As the first whistle sounded, we tackled and rucked with a ferocity and intent of which no one has ever seen from us. Chris Giunta '25 continues to draw attention from national scouts as he slotted the first penalty goal to go up 3-0. Minutes later, Fairfield scored to go up 10-0. Iona responded with a try of its own off a bouncing ball they scooped up, and narrowed the score to 10-5. Iona scored again to tie it 10-10. This is where Fairfield showed its character; in years past, they would've hung their heads, gotten down on themselves, blamed the referee, or any other combination of things to show defeat. Not anymore! Brady Lewis '23, who earned his starting spot through sheer grit and determination, scored and Giunta '25 added the extras to go up 17-10. Iona slotted a penalty goal and then scored a try at the end of the first half to lead 20-17. That was the final positive element they would have in this game. Fairfield scored 24-straight points: Stephen Ryan '23, Patrick Burke '25, and John Minogue 'grad all had magnificent tries. Giunta '25 missed only one kick at goal the whole day.

As each try was scored, flyhalf Danny Enright 'grad controlled the air and the territory with his leg. It was as clinical and professional a performance as ever seen from a 10. Iona never saw Fairfield's side of the field the rest of the game!

It was a professional, convincing performance over a world-class, highly-reputed Iona team that has now put Fairfield on the map. For the first time in recent history, Fairfield will now be the hunted!