Match Report vs. Siena University A-side
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Fairfield 28 – Siena 27

The Stags traveled to Loudonville, NY, to face their bitter rivals Siena. Coming off its gritty win over a vastly improved Syracuse team, the Stags had a tough test ahead of them: grudge match against a team that is desperate for a win, playing on their alumni weekend.

We didn't make things easy on ourselves to start; we missed several kicks to touch that continued to give Siena the ball in our end and made us play defense for about 30 minutes of the first half. Before we knew it, we were down 10-0. Once we got in Siena's end, we were able to build momentum, but execution still eluded us.
Henry Novicki '26 claimed goal-kicking duties in the pre-game warm up, and his confidence showed! He slotted the first points for us, to settle us know and get the 0 off the scoreboard. Luke Boals '29 added to his scoresheet with another try this week, and Novicki added the extras to level the game at 10-10. Once again, we couldn't exit our own end, which led to a Siena penalty goal, and a halftime lead favoring our opponents 13-10.
The second half is best described as a resilient dogfight; both teams punching and counterpunching. Neither team was able to put the other to the sword, and neither team was giving up. Novicki tied the game up at 13-1,3, but Siena scored a try and a conversion right away to go back up 20-13. Patrick McHale '27 darted across the try line off a scrum deep in Siena's end, and Novicki added the extras to tie it up at 20-20.
Getting late into the game, Boals found the try zone again off a brilliant lineout maul. The conversion went wide, but the Stags took its first lead 25-20. Siena responded right back with a converted try of their own and reclaimed the lead 27-25. Novicki slotted a late penalty goal to give us a 1-point lead 28-27 with less than 4 minutes remaining. This game had the feels of 2022 when we beat Siena at the death to advance to the national quarterfinals. Unfortunately for us, we committed the penalty this time, and Siena chose to kick at goal from over 40 meters away. Thankfully, history didn't repeat itself and the kick sailed wide, and we came away with the victory! Man of the Match honors go to Boals: an 80-minute shift at Prop, 2 tries, and a ton of hits!

B-side Match Report vs Siena University B-side

Fairfield B 61 – Siena B 33
Once again, our B-side lit up the scoreboard! Here's the scoresheet:
Tries
Tyshawn Henderson '28 (3)
Carter Delleo '27 (2)
Ian Thomson '27 (2)
Aaron Traynor '27
Brady Dennett '29
Conversions
O'Callaghan (8)
Another strong performance for this group to end the trip to Siena with 2 wins! Our defense needs to improve (for both groups), but we can't be too disappointed when we put 60 on our opponents. Thomson commanded the game from Fly-half, and O'Callaghan communicated from Fullback. Tucker Martin '27 and Brendan Coutts '27 continue to exemplify the definition of a team player – earning selection as an A-side run-on and then getting their reps in the B-side game.
Our young first years continue to show great promise: Dennett at lock, Ryan Pena '29 and Owen Saya '29 in the front row, and Alec Wood '29 in the back row. Veterans Ryan Mayerhofer '26 and Luke Arezzi '28 continue to "punch above their weight class" as they bring high levels of physicality. All in all, another impressive performance from this group!
As the Stags return home, they have a short week to prepare for Jesuit-rivals Fordham in the Bronx on Friday night. This game will be for the 4th annual von Arx Cup – the challenge trophy between Jesuit brother universities to celebrate the years of service by Fr. von Arx, S.J.!