NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- The men's varsity pair and the women's varsity eight enjoyed successful races at the 2009 Fall Metropolitan Regatta. The pair won its event by 33 seconds, while the varsity eight placed third just a few seconds off the winning pace.

Once again, Ben Andrews and James Jessup provided the team with another stellar performance, besting Hofstra, New York University, Iona, and Manhattan. The duo built upon their fall season success which included a win at last weekend's Head of the Fish in Sarasota Springs.

"They keep on racing hard without respite despite the margin of victory," Head Coach Dave Patterso said. "They know that in any one racing weekend they could face antoher squad's top two rowers. And when that happens, they have to be prepared for a gight."

The women's varsity eight enjoyed a boost in confidence with its performance. Despite losing one rower to illness, the eight embraced newcomer Liz Connors onto the team and promptly made an all-out effort which was nearly rewarded with a win. Connors had not rowed with the eight until this race, so her performance was welcome by her teammates. The lineup included Jessica Curley, Jessica Keefe, Krissi Gorsuch, Alexa Hoehne, Katie Sillo, Meghan Sullivan, Connors, Sam Kiersey, and coxswain Katy Dulle.

The men's novice eight pulled double duty at the regatta, racing as an eight before breaking down into a a heavyweight four and a lightweight four. As an eight, the squad placed third behind the efforts of Tony Ponte, Mike Gasbarro, Andrew Jackowitz, Peter Lyons, Matt mcNeill, Eric Weinard, Mike Johnson, John DeNave, and coxswain Jennifer Labaddia. Despite a slow start, the Stags eight experienced the thrill and excitement of overtaking two boats as they worked their way down the race course.

"The notion of 'what have been' has been a tremendous factor in their attendance at practice this week as they look to improve for the Dowling Invitational Regatta," Patterson said.

After that race, McNeill, Jackowitz, Johnson, Weinard and coxswain Jennifer Labaddia placed second in their heavyweight heat behind Army B, a time which also put them sixth out of 13 total entries. The lightweight four of Ponte, Gasbarro, Lyons, and DeNave won their heat ahead of Manhattan, Hofstra, and Sarah Lawrence. The foursome finished 3rd of 13 overall behind Army A and Army B boats.

The women's novice four finished seventh out of 12 entires during the day, as Katie Mancuso, Christina Ercole, Bridget Butterworth, Hope Beisswanter, and coxswain Michelle DeJoseph put together a solid effort. Genevieve Bleidner, Anna Wolk, Juliana Lavoie, Clare McElaney, Nadia Buffa, Kim Beatty, Molly Graffam, Julie Labaddia, and coxswain Michelle DeJoseph competed against a strong field in the varsity eight, and finished eighth.

Fairfield had two entries in the varsity four with the A boat taking fourth in their heat and eighth overall. The squad included Liz Connors, Kim Kesting, Bridgette Silva, Caitlin O'Sullivan, and coxswain Julia Merenda. The B boat won their heat ahead of Fordham C, Manhattan A, and Iona C, while their overall time placed fourth out of 15 shells. Jessica Curley, Jessica Keefe, Katie Sillo, Alexa Hoehne, and coxswain Katy Dulle comprised the entry.

The teams return to action on Saturday for their fall season finale at the Dowling Invitational.