By Anthony Caruso Staff Writer
In recent years, the College has kicked off football season with a non-conference opponent. However, this year, the team broke tradition and started the season with a new New Jersey Athletic Conference opponent on Saturday, Sept. 5.
The Lions lost to Christopher Newport University, 31-21, at POMOCO Stadium in Newport News, Va.
The College drops to 0-1, in the season and in conference play, while the Captains are both 1-0.
This was the first ever meeting between the two teams. This is also the debut of the new NJAC for football that features powerhouses Wesley, Salisbury and Frostburg State.
Lions quarterback, junior Michael Marchesano, went 16 of 27 for 238 yards and a touchdown. Alternate quarterback, sophomore Trevor Osler, went three of four for nine-yards and a touchdown.
For the Lions, senior running back Victor Scalici led the team in rushing for the College with 60 yards. Senior wide receiver Kyle Anderson, sophomore running back Khani Glover and Marchesano combined for 12 more yards.
On the other side of the field, Captains senior Tyler Quigley went 13 of 16 for 208 yards and two touchdowns. The Captains were led by Arsaiah Robinson, who had 87 rushing yards and a touchdown. Daquan Davis added 58, while four other backs added 40 yards. Robinson began the scoring with a 71-yard run for a touchdown. Less than four minutes later, their kicker Dylan Curran kicked a 22-yard field goal for the 10-0 lead.
Quigley threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Loudan to make it 17-0. With nine minutes left in the second quarter, Quigley connected with Kyree Burton for a 35-yard touchdown reception.
Glover had 61 yards for the Lions, while senior tight end Andrew Lachawiec added 54. Junior Jeff Mattonelli had 51, while senior Kyle Anderson added 39. Four other receivers had 42 yards.
The Lions defense were led by senior Sean Kley and sophomore Kevin Hennelly, who had 11 tackles each. Senior Mic Edwards led the Captains with nine tackles, with three others had six.
Each team then traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Quigley scored on a one-yard touchdown, as the Captains went up 17 points.
The Captains led 17-0 following the first quarter. Then, they added an additional touchdown in the second.
The College was held scoreless in the first two quarters. While the Lions had zero on the board, the Captains had a 24-0 lead.
Late in the third, the Lions finally got on the board with Glover scoring on a one-yard run. Then, with 36 seconds remaining in the quarter, Lachawiec caught a five yard touchdown to make it 24-14.
Glover caught a 61-yard pass from Marchesano for the last score of the game, making the final score 31-21 in favor of the Captains.
The football team returns to action this Saturday, Sept. 12, against FDU-Florham with a noon kickoff at Lions’ Stadium.
