For the first time in recent history, or since moving up to Division 1 in 2016, Fairfield is now the hunted. Despite all the press and all the compliments…Iona was only one game. Fordham is another thorn in this senior class' side. While the teams split its matchups in 7s last spring, Fordham 15s still had the last laugh from erasing a 21-point deficit at Rugby Fest in 2019 to win 36-32. This game presented an opportunity to see how "for real" we are.
Honestly, the energy level was not as high as Iona. Still, the Red Ruggers scored first. However, Fordham refused to go away quietly, and scored 10 unanswered. Fairfield trailed 5-10 for most of the first half until
Chris Giunta '25 added a penalty goal before halftime to trail 8-10. The biggest obstacle was discipline; Fairfield has 3 yellow cards and 18 penalties throughout the game. Still, Fairfield banded together and righted the ship in the second half.
John Thompson '23 intercepted a pass off a lineout and scored right away, and it was the spark his team needed. Danny Enright 'Grad dominated the aerial battle once again, forcing Fordham to play out of their end.
Juan Sturla '24 really impressed with his strong carries and high work rate on defense.
John Minogue 'Grad, remembering that 2019 defeat all too well, refused to be tackled by one man on attack.
Nick Lapponese '23 showed why he's a first-team All-American as he went end to end for a try. Giunta totaled 14 points, including a try from a Crossfield kick from Enright.
Ben Ehlers '23 continues to put the team first as he shifted to wing this game, but then moved back to 15 midgame, and scored an absolutely professional try with an emphatic dive into the try zone.
Stephen Ryan '23 kept Fordham out of the try zone w/ a ton of turnovers on defense.
Brady Lewis '23 continues to show he deserves to be an A-side player with his physicality as a runner and defender.
Entering the bye week, D1-A now looks to Brown, the #2 team in the country and heavy favorites to win the Liberty West Division. This game will be a true test of how good we are, and it will take everyone's very best to be competitive. But, this is what we wanted…big games on the big stage!
