FAIRFIELD, CT (September 22, 2013) - The Vassar men conceded 3 tries in 20 minutes and had offered little when they did have the ball in hand during that same period, so it left them with an uphill battle. Perhaps even more important it gave Fairfield a huge boost plus a cushion to work with and they needed no further invitation.

Vassar College Men 16 v Fairfield University Men 37
Tries: Penalty Try (1).
Cons: Nick Graham (1).
Pens: Nick Graham (3).

Fairfield received the kick-off and immediately set about running off the fringes of the rucks. Vassar missed the first tackle and although the defense stiffened the visitors then conceded a penalty. Fairfield kicked deep into the corner and had a great attacking position. However, Vassar cleared the line only to be forced back and then from a close range penalty a Fairfield forward dived over to score. Five minutes had passed, Vassar had had one possession and was down 7-0.

The next possession Vassar went wide and dropped the ball and after a few more minutes they turned the ball over again and bingo they were down by 12.

Fairfield are celebrating their 50th year as a club and the whole squad is excited to be playing. It showed in their play as they went about their business with real zeal and enthusiasm.

On the 19 minute mark with Vassar having not really done that much when they had the ball Fairfield's number 13 went bursting through and 2 phases later it was 17-0.

The hole had now been dug and Vassar started to dig themselves out. They did have the lions share of possession and some good territory in the second quarter of the game and they forced some handling errors from the home team. They did not cross the goal line but had 3 penalties from the boot of flyhalf Nich Graham to show for their efforts. But right at the end of the first half they lost a ruck and Fairfield added to their tally to make it 22-9 after 40 minutes.

Vassar's tackling had not been strong enough and they had turned the ball over far too many times to expect to be in the lead.

The second half was lost 3 tries to 1 as again turnovers at crucial moments stoped the team's momentum.

It is frustrating to see some very good individual moments from players, i.e. an open field tackle, a great running line, or a well weighted pass and then to have that good work go to waste. Consistency is a key to success.

Team: 15 Alan Hagins  14 Jacob Adelgren  13 Brian Heil  12 Ben Chipkin  11 Jesse Myhill 10 Nich Graham 9 Karl Foley 1 Geoff Matthes  2 Adam D'Agostino  3 John Winton  4 Louis Khourey  5 Matt Brown 6 Matt Montgomery 7 Kenta Hasui  8 Zach Rippe. Subs: Stoddard Meigs for Alan Hagins, Jake Sheehy for Karl Foley, Nich Johnson for Brian Heil, John Loree for Adam D'Agostino, Wade Crouch for John Loree.

Overall record: 1-2-0.

Next weekend: Sunday September 29th, 2013 at William Paterson University - Kick-off 12:00 p.m.

Vassar College Men "B" 7 v Fairfield University Men "B" 12
Tries: Sean O'Connell (1).
Cons: Nich Graham (1).

Freshman Sean O'Connell gave Vassar some real hope as the "B" side went up 7-5 when the stocky lock went through to score. But Fairfield managed to clinch this one with a late score 12-5.

Team: 15 Jesse Myhill 14 Miguel Salcedo 13 Brian Heil 12 Nich Johnson 11 Steven Juca 10 Stoddard Meigs 9 Jake Sheehy 1 David Walach 2 Justin Riley 3 Raleigh Smith 4 Sean O'Connell 5 Matt Brown 6 Nich Graham 7 Justin Nam 8 Wade Crouch Subs: Ben Chipkin for Jesse Myhill, Jacob Adelgren for Brian Heil, Louis Khourey for Matt Brown.

"B" side overall record: 2-1-0.

Next weekend: Sunday September 29th, 2013 at William Paterson University -  Kick-off 2:00 p.m.