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Brown Calm and Cool in Winning Liberty

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Brown Calm and Cool in Winning Liberty

Antonio Esteves scored a key try for Brown.

Brown won the Liberty D1 conference Saturday night, defeating AIC 33-14.

Brown took the lead within the first few minutes behind a surging forward pack. The pressure forced a penalty which led to a lineout and a maul. The game remained 7-0 for about 15 minutes. Much of that was AIC on the front foot, but Brown's defense was very good.

Finally Brown got out of their end, and marched their way down the field thanks in large part to their scrum, which produced penalties and allowed JT Dyer to kick long-range touchfinders. Brown's scrum was so powerful that they opted for that when they got penalties in the red zone. And when AIC got a yellow card (prop Afa Sanft) it got even tougher for the Yellow Jackets. After Sanft took a seat the next scrum produced a penalty try and Brown led 14-0.

Somehow AIC got one back, however. Opting for a tap penalty move they sent lock Nafitalai Kalaniuvalu who was not to be stopped. 

More penalties caused AIC trouble, especially when Brown worked through the phases. Eventually Brown tried to execute an old-school eight-man shove in the scrum, but couldn't control the ball at the back and AIC stole the ball. Still Brown pressured but AIC managed to hold firm. As halftime loomed Raphael Lansonneur pointed to the posts and put it over for a 17-7 lead.

Despite AIC camping out in the Brown 22, Brown managed to get out of trouble long enough for Lansonneur to kick another penalty. AIC came right back to score off a penalty move and lock Kane Johnson dove over in the corner, and German Rossi slotted the touchline conversion.

Now it was 20-14 and AIC was within a score. A Lansonneur penalty nudged his side nine points clear at 23-14, but still not secure. 

Brown finally got some continuity going and hands-out sent a very flat pass to Aontonio Esteves who raced to the corner. Lansonneur's kick was good and it was 30-14.

Once again Lansonneur kept the scoreboard going, and Brown's defense and set piece ability closed out the game 33-14.

Brown and AIC are expected to move on to the NCR playoffs.

Also On Liberty Finals Day

Fairfield took 3rd over Dartmouth 51-29. Iona defeated Nazareth 29-14 to take 5th in the D1 level of the conference.

Northeastern beat Fordham.

We will have more on the D1AA level in another article.