(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.)-Thomas More University men's rugby team defeated Fairfield University on Saturday afternoon (November 19), 71-21, at Republic Bank Field in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
The Saints scored 10 tries in their victory against Fairfield University and converted an impressive 10 for 10 conversion kicks as well!Â
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Fairfield played hard and controlled the set pieces (Scum & Lineouts) initially in the game. after the first 20 minutes, the Saints matched them in set play the rest of the game. In fact, the Saints won 2 of 5 defensive line outs in the second half of the game.
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Sam Ray (7) scored first off a pick and go, with
Rafael O'Gorman converting the kick. 3 more tries were scored in the first half out the back line by
Manuel Zubiri, Lorenzo Lelli, and Francisco "Poncho" Cuscuna. Poncho also converted the kick after his try.
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After a yellow card for high tackle, Fairfield Scored (John Minogue) and converted by Chris Giunta.
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In the second half TMU scored early and often starting 2 minutes into the second half.Â
Luca Mattassini scored off a switch pass from his Flyhalf Poncho Cuscuna. Â
6 tries were scored in the second half allowing TMU to play all reserves in the game.
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Fairfield scored a try 64 minutes into the game to cut the deficit to 56-14 (Daniel Enright) (converted by Chris Giunta) and again in the last minute (Try and conversion by Chris Giunta) to cut the final deficit 70-21.
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Man of the match, Lorenzo Lelli (8), scored 4 tries and ran through the gain line for over 140 meters which contributed in the other 6 tries scored.Â
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Rafael O'Gorman scored the 7
th try of the match and converted 9 of 9 conversion kicks.
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Farid Salim (5) scored the last try of the game and also ran hard through the opponent's defense for over 80 meters of running past the gain line.
The Saints return to action on December 3 when they take on Queens (N.C.) University at 5:30 p.m. in Reading, Pennsylvania on the campus of Penn State-Berks.Â
