Aspetuck came back from a 28-22 to defeat #16 Vienna in Virginia.

Aspetuck used their quick forwards to secure ball and recycle smartly as they built an early 8-0 lead. Using the power running of Matt Weiner and Amari Phillips, the Aspetuck forwards were quick to get over the ball and keep marching down the field.

They did it again and got close to the Vienna line before Vienna captain Camden Erickson intercepted an Aspetuck pass and ran 75 meters the other way. He was finally caught, but Vienna was out of trouble and threatening. They had a try called back for a forward pass. Eventually Erickson blocked a clearance kick and Vienna moved the ball wide and broke through. Erickson converted to make it 8-7.

Vienna nearly scored again, but were penalized again close to the line. They kept at it and finally scored again. Erickson converted and it was 14-8 Vienna.

Vienna had to work hard for every meter gained against a well organized and very physical Aspetuck defense, but they broke through again and scored another converted try six minutes into the second half to take a 21-8 lead. Aspetuck remained calm and stuck to their game plan and replied with a converted try of their own to cut the lead to 21-15 Vienna. 

Right after that Vienna regathered their own restart and No. 8 Niko Tounger carried defenders with him and made a nice offload to center Drew Baublitz to take it to 28-15 with 15 minutes to go.

Aspetuck made some adjustments, opting to move speedy back Pearson Hill to flyhalf, where he played a big part of 2021. 

"That was the main change for us," said Aspetuck Head Coach Ray Weiner.

With Hill directing traffic and a constant threat to break one off, the Aspetuck forwards had a little bit more room to work. They crashed through to make it 28-22.

Excellent recycling and power rugby combined with a few surprises from the backs put Aspetuck over to lead 29-28, and then finished it off with another. Phillips and Weiner were powerful, and with Hill they made the comeback happen.

For Vienna, flankers John Kustra and Dylan Liskey led a strong defensive effort from the Vienna forwards. They had chances to get another score late but pressed and as a result committed some turnovers.

"Aspetuck was the more disciplined and patient team," said Vienna Head Coach Kendall Erickson. "Aspetuck showed true mettle in maintaining absolute composure throughout the game and especially in the second half when we had them down 13 and were pressuring to score again. They were more disciplined than us. A few less penalties and mistakes and our boys win that game, but Aspetuck earned it today and they have a really classy outfit."

For Aspetuck, it was a result that built on last week's win over Berks and a close loss to Fort Hunt. In the opener against Fort Hunt, said Weiner, "we were poor. We controlled possession for 75% of the game but made four mistakes and they scored on all four. It's OK, it's all fixable. We are learning a lot and getting better."