Match Report vs. Iona University

The I-95 Cup
Saturday 10/11/2025
Fairfield 39 – Iona 24

Returning home after 2 road wins at Siena and Fordham, our boys hosted bitter rivals Iona.
Make no mistake...they hate us, and we hate them! Too many times one team has spoiled
the other's party. On this day, there were extra stakes in the game as the contest was for the
inaugural I-95 Cup. What's says fun more than adding some hardware to a rivalry!
It almost looked like the Stags would start off the scoring. We marched down the field, got
within striking distance of Iona's goal line, but couldn't execute. Iona flipped the script and
crossed our try line and 7 points after the extras. Once again, we made life harder on
ourselves. Nevertheless, the boys were up to the task, and Luke Boals '29 crossed the try
line! Fairfield would score the next 12 points and end the half up 17-7. Louie Sdao '29
finished a sequence on the edge from a Patrick McHale '27 assist and Charlie Thomison
'29 showed individual brilliance with a chip-n'-chase for the score! Henry Novicki '26
converted Thomison's try.
The second half was played mostly in Iona's end, but credit to the Gaels for staying in the
fight. It was a punch and counterpunch 40 minutes with teams trading scores, but the
Stags were able to score 2 in a row to create a safe enough margin to win the day! Cian
O'Callaghan '28 scored in the corner from a brilliant through pass by McHale and Sdao
scored his second of the day, thanks again to McHale. Jack Garrity '26 crossed the goal
line as he bulldozed his way off an 8-man pick. Cassius Grimes '29 returned from injury
and contributed to the scorecard with a try and Novicki converted. While Iona scored 3
tries throughout the second half, the Stags' scrum was absolutely demoralizing! Between
Tadhg O'Neill '29 keep the Gaels in their half, and the Stags' Pack winning scrum penalty
after scrum penalty to force Yellow Cards, the team stuck to the script and fought out
another gutsy win!

B-side Match Report at Fordham University

Fairfield B 67 – Iona B 0

As a coach, I love the goose egg on Iona's scoresheet more than the plethora of points on
ours. It was an absolute joy to watch Ian Thomson '27 absolutely roast the Gaels!
Thomson logged 25 points (2 tries, 6 conversions, and a goal kick).
Tucker Martin '27 started the scoring by winning a turnover at midfield, and then scoring
under the posts! Not to be outdone by his back row mate, Tyshawn Henderson '28
barreled his way through multiple would-be Gael tacklers for a try.
Ryan Pena '29 crossed the goal line twice, once for a massive run that he finished in the
corner. Luke "all smiles" Coetzee '27 crossed the try line and won at least 5 defensive
lineouts. Myles Horkan '28 joined the party with a quick tap score while Iona had their
backs turned on their own try line. Liam Conlon '27 joined his backline mate with a try of
his own.
Our B-side is scoring an average of 73 points a game! While the one we want back is
against Brown B, we hope to make this game up to rightfully claim the Conference
Challenge Cup! Credit to this group of young men for giving their all week in, week out in
training. Competitions for spots have never been higher, and this group dedicates itself to
executing the game plan and staying on script. Well done lads!

D3 at Seton Hall
Sunday 10/12/2025
Fairfield D3 91 – Seton Hall 7
The easiest way to recap this game is with the scorecard:
Tries
Jack Cucinotta '28 (3), Charlie Raymond '28 (2), Cian O'Flynn '29, Finn McMahon '27,
Philip Storti '28, Nate Crawford '28, Chris Contreras '29, Connor Tole '28,
Jack Vella '28, Matt McHugh '27, Jack Secaur '29, Nate Marinelli '28.
Conversions
Secaur (4), Crawford (4)
Coach Brzoski's lads continue to have fun, develop, and play Fairfield's brand of rugby!
All teams are home next week for a 3-game matchup with Dartmouth College!