 "Photo: X-Men Rugby/Contributed Photo")
The sky was foreboding and the air was damp and heavy on the lungs.
There was excitement in the air, with Fairfield riding a three-game winning-streak, including two impressive wins over Marist and Hofstra to start the season.
However, when the contest concluded, Fairfield rugby players grimaced in anguish on the soggy field. Some remained on the ground for several moments, staring at one another, or more likely their shoes, in disbelief.
On Sunday, Fairfield rugby (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion, falling 22-20 to arch-rival Sacred Heart (2-2).
Fairfield appeared to be in control early, as Kevin Tarca '09 rammed a try through early on in the first half to give Fairfield a 5-0 lead after the two point conversion kick was missed.
After a lengthy back and forth in which Fairfield and Sacred Heart traded possessions, Darragh Lynch '09 scored a try in the corner. After Fairfield missed the conversion kick, it was 10-0.
Then came the Sacred Heart X-Men.
Coach Matthew Leonard, on the sideline, observed a quality in the opposing team.
"They're a scrappy team," he said. "They're hitting hard."
Sacred Heart marched down the field and scored a try. After they converted the kick, the Stags' lead was suddenly cut to 10-7.
Before the half was out, Sacred Heart had scored again. Fairfield was now down 12-10, similar to last week's game against Seton Hall, where they also went into the half trailing the opposition.
Fairfield began the second half with a turnover, which led to a Sacred Heart try.
Fairfield now trailed 17-0, after the "X-Men" converted on the kick.
Undeterred by the spatter of the Sacred Heart sidelines, the "Red Ruggers" trudged down the field, where Mark Keith '11 put the ball over the line to cut the Sacred Heart lead to 17-15 after a missed kick.
Before long, Fairfield took the ball again and scored an impressive try. It was highlighted by fluid ball movement from captain Bob Haller '09 to Keith, who scored his second try of the contest.
However, Fairfield's fortunes were about to change.
Following a contested sin-bin, or yellow card, against captain Timo Wilson '09 for a dangerous tackle, he was forced to sit out for ten minutes.
With no stoppage in play on the field, Wilson remained in the penalty for almost 13 minutes. In that time, Sacred Heart capitalized on the man advantage and took the lead at 22-20, a lead that would ultimately stand.
However, Fairfield fought until the final whistle. They had taken the ball to the doorstep of the Sacred Heart goal line. Haller appeared to score on a try attempt, but the referee saw otherwise.
After Haller was stripped of the ball on a final attempt, the clock ran out on Fairfield's perfect season.
Leonard addressed his dejected players, who sat silently unwrapping their limbs as Sacred Heart celebrated on the field.
"They took advantage of their opportunities," he said. "That's how you win. Get ready for Tuesday."
Wilson would not dismiss the season, but he did acknowledge the importance of each of the remaining games, starting with next weeks match at home against Vassar.
His disappointment in the outcome, however, was as lucidly clear as his realizations following the contest.
"That was a tough one to take. Real tough to be honest," he said. "I think we may have taken them for granted a little bit and they ended up bringing it more than we did."
However, his excitement at the prospects of a return to the playoffs was not diminished.
"It'll make for a fun rest of the season because now we have to win out," he said.
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