The Empire Conference may once again be Stony Brook’s to lose, but the other six teams are making a surge.

While Stony Brook plays a non-conference game against Rugby East power Kutztown, Colgate hosts Brockport, Syracuse welcomes Fordham, and the US Merchant Marina Academy plays at Binghamton.

Colgate and Brockport both have some significant talent, and this opening game could tell us a lot about which of the two will challenge the top teams.

Syracuse received a big boost this fall when former All American Alex Hodgkinson returned to rugby after pursuing football as a kicker with the Orangemen football team. Hodgkinson is a smart rugby player with excellent kicking skills, and he takes the flyhalf position under his control. The move means John Daly returns to scrumhalf. Syracuse has also added Dallas Haskins, a freshman who played for the Hong Kong U19s, and former Xavier player Eddie McCarthy, now a sophomore, to form the midfield. They have a talented group of outside backs to work with.

So Syracuse could be up-and-comers, while the USMMA at Kings Point hopes to stay at the top. Kings Point went 5-1 last year and took Stony Brook’s DIAA playoff spot as the SeaWolves opted to concentrate on 7s. The Academy graduated several players - 7 seniors, including six starters - and lost two more starters to early-season injuries. But they have welcomed some impressive athletes and have a group of 2nd-side players who are moving up. This weekend, Kings Point will put on as many as 13 new starters. While flyhalf Steve McGuire is expected to be back eventually, he won’t be playing this weekend. (McGuire is the middle of three McGuire brothers who have played or will play rugby at Kings Point, with older brother Kieran graduated and younger brother Mike now on the squad. Mike McGuire spent the summer playing 7s for Long Island under Stony Brook Coach Jerry Mirro.)

“It’s an interesting challenge,” said Head Coach Ali Nazir. “We have had huge turnover, but a lot of our players have played before. We are working on their rugby IQ, fitness, and the basics.”

Senior flanker Leroid Jones out of Louisiana and hooker Josh Raines out of Texas will be key leaders on a  squad that is beginning to get more notice on campus and from the administration.

“We have high expectations,” said Nazir. 

But it won’t be easy.

This week’s Empire Conference games.