Boston College and Northeastern will face off in the final of the Liberty Conference after both won semifinals over the weekend.

BC was very impressive in beating Syracuse (7-0 in conference play) 39-10 In Liberty games, Syracuse hadn’t given up more than two tries in any game, but against the Eagles, Syracuse gave up six.

BC exploded for a 29-point run in the first half (and part of the second half). Prop Quinlan Kelly, lock Andrew Thomas, hooker Connor Robinson, fullback James Thornton, and Robinson again all scored tries, with wing Chris Whelan converting two.

Syracuse did finally get a try through fullback Jean Eric van der Elst, but BC was in control by then. Thomas added his second try and Whelan converted. Scrumhalf Garrett Reilly added a penalty at the end of the game.

Boston College improved to 7-1 in conference play (including the semis), and that only loss was to Northeastern.

That score was 42-33. Sunday, Northeastern booked a place in the final with a victory over American International on Sunday. AIC has enjoyed some impressive play from center Luis Sitama and lock Tommy Clark, and those two accounted for their team’s first 14 points as Clark went over twice and Sitama converted.

But between those two tries, Northeastern scored 18 points. Center Matt Urrea scored a try right at halftime, and early in the second half a yellow card to AIC opened up another opportunity and flanker Coleman Jackson scored NU’s second try. Darren Chan converted, and added two penalties as the half progressed to make it 18-7 Northeastern.

Clark scored his second to close the gap to 18-14 but then, with six minutes left, flyhalf David De Luzuriaga galloped in. Chan converted and it was 25-14 Huskies. 

AIC pushed for the comeback and fullback Royaal Jones raced over. But AIC needed one more score, and that was a little too far for the Yellow Jackets.

Iona Wins

In a non-playoff game that pitted undefeated Iona (they don’t participate in the playoffs), and 4-4 Fairfield, Iona captain Connor Buckley scored the first four tries of the game as the Gaels ran out to a 40-6 halftime lead.

Fairfield made some adjustments and with some Iona reserves on made it 57-32 at the end. Liam Anderson Watson Filikitonga, Cam DiGiorgio, Tyler Ringwood, Colby Marshall, and Omar Mtarfi all scored tries for Iona, with John Powers converting six. Andrew Pearl kicked 12 points for Fairfield and center Chris Schiavello scored two tries.

Next Challenges

Next week the Liberty Conference holds a series of challenge matches, with Stony Brook against Colgate, Fordham taking on Buffalo, Tufts versus Cortland, UMass facing Oswego State, and Binghamton against Fairfield. NU and BC, meanwhile, will also face off. Iona plays St. Bonaventure.