Fairfield 38 – Stony Brook 5

We welcomed SUNY Stony Brook with some classic Nor'easter rain and a walk out to the pitch led by bagpipes to celebrate the club's 60th anniversary. FU came out of the gate with a structured attack, with clean crashes and quick ball, exhibiting the teamwork and continuity that has developed over the past seasons. With the forwards creating a ruck-cycle threat up close to the posts, the defense congealed, and SH Kate Robertson swing the ball out wide where we had an overload, giving Jr. Kayla Fox an easy try within the first 2 minutes. A penalty created an overload, and quick thinking by Tina Coleman '24 created a wide gap for Emily Raia '24 to run to the outside for another try. Aggressive and speedy defense created a few too many unintentional offsides violations, giving Stony Brook many opportunities to regain possession, but Loose forwards Kilroy '24 and Ashley O'Connor '25 fierce tackles and counter rucking gave Fairfield the ball, which was swung out wide to the right, where fullback Maggie Kelly '25 took the ball down the sideline in for another try Offensive cycles continued through the rest of the first half, with O'Connor '25 taking a smart Pick and Go for another try. The rain began to come in a bit harder, while Fairfield began to increase the number of penalties, giving Stony Brook many opportunities to move the ball up the field. However, knock-ons and other unlucky/sloppy play removed any opportunities for the Red Ruggers to capitalize on their speed to the outside. The second half started with a three cycle, resulting in another try my Raia '24. Rain and penalties created a lot of unlucky knocks and missed passes, while FU started to collect an increasing number of penalties, and Stony Brook started to make stronger runs and crashes, proving to be more difficult to tackle, resulting in a forwards try by Stony Brook, ending the game at 38-5. Given the weather, the forwards did tremendous work this weekend, specifically from the midfield forwards Veronica McAdams '25, Tina Coleman '24, Ashley O'Connor, '25, Grace Harasimowicz '24, Hannah Bershefsky '25 and Julia Kilroy '24.

Tries:
Kayla Fox '25
Emily Raia '24 (3)
Ashley O'Connor '25
Maggie Kelly '25
Conversions:
Julia Demetropoulous '25 (4/6)