Fordham, AIC Battle To A Thursday Night Tie

Fordham, AIC Battle To A Thursday Night Tie

Game report for Fordham vs AIC

Sep 21, 2018 by Alex Goff
Fordham vs AIC - Liberty Challenge

Fordham tied AIC Thursday night in a game that did much to show that American International has work to do, and Fordham may well be better than anyone thought.

This was a back-and-forth game played in a physical style, but Fordham showed that its commitment to playing strong defense isn't just words.

Mostly this meant meeting the Yellow Jackets at the gain line, and making sure line breaks were hauled down in time. It was that cover defense, and being strong at the point of contact that helped keep the Rams in touch.

"It was an absolute grind of a game, where our team really came together with a quick recovery from a match on Sunday. I was very impressed with our on-field leadership and desire to play relentless defense. Going forward we need to finish up attacking plays to put more points on the board. Looking forward to a week of rest to head up to New England College to play for the Presidents Shield," said AIC interim head coach Corey Momsen.

The two teams traded penalties in the first ten minutes - one from Fordham's Finn McCarrick and one from AIC's Carmen Consolino. Fordham continued to put pressure on AIC, and two more penalties were sent over by McCarrick to make it 9-3 Rams at the break.




AIC got those points back near the midway point of the second half, as prop Jesse Emerson powered over. Consolino hit the extras and it was 10-9 AIC.

McCarrick slotted his fourth goal to nudge Fordham ahead, only to see center Nic Franklyn (moved to center from hooker) scoring under the posts. Consolino converted for a 17-12 lead.

Fordham drove down for one more shot, and prop Jared Smallwood scored with two minutes left to tie the game 17-17. McCarrick had a shot at putting his side ahead, but Franklyn, doing the sort of thing he has done all of his AIC career, charged aggressively and blocked the kick, preserving the tie.

"Nic Franklyn made a great play," said Fordham Director of Rugby Andrew Gheraldi. "For us, it was the defense again."

Gheraldi was referring to his team's Liberty Challenge win over AIC last fall, in which the Rams held off AIC 13-10 in a very similar sort of contest. 

"The boys truly believe in playing Bronx rugby. AIC had some line breaks, but we bent more than broke. Finn McCarrick was lights out with the kicks and Jared Smallwood was all heart. We have lots to clean up on attack; we were too sloppy with the ball and lost some lineouts."

Fordham takes on UConn next week.