Box Score
EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey (3-3, 3-2 NJAC) used 21 second-half points to secure a 24-7 Homecoming victory against visiting William Paterson (2-4, 1-4 NJAC) Oct. 18 at Lions' Stadium.
After the Pioneers led 7-3 at the half, the Lions got their offense going in the third quarter as running back Michael Yetka scampered 19 yards for a touchdown late in the period. Junior kicker Marc Zucconi booted the PAT, giving TCNJ the lead at 10-7.
In the fourth quarter, the Lions took to the air for a pair of scores as junior quarterback Chris James first hooked up with Mark Garnder, and then Colin Weber. Gardner's scoring play covered 48 yards (17-7, 8:42), while Weber's was from nine yards out (24-7, 5:30). The Lion defense then sealed the win as senior Dave Fontoura intercepted a Pioneer pass in the waning minutes.
TCNJ had a big game on the ground as junior Chase Misiura rushed for 114 yards on 22 carries, while Yetka also eclipsed the 100-yard mark, finishing with 109 yards and a score on 12 attempts. James added to TCNJ's offense with 168 passing yards, hitting on 14 of 24 attempts for two touchdowns.
Not to be outdone, William Paterson's
Marcus McKinney (5-11, 220, Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) also ran for more than 100 yards, rambling for a season-best 104 on 19 rushes.
The defenses for both teams dictated play in the first half, limiting each other to one score apiece. The Lions opened the scoring as Zucconi punched through a 27-yard field goal with less than five minutes expired off of the first-quarter clock.
William Paterson erased that deficit during the second quarter as quarterback
Matt Marshall (6-3, 195, Burlington, N.J./Burlington City) threw a short pass to
Victor Soares (6-3, 190, Paterson, NJ/Monmouth Regional) in the far flat and the Pioneer receiver stretched the ball over the pylon for a touchdown. That scoring play covered nine yards, and
Dom Busto (5-7, 170, Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes) kicked the PAT, putting the visitors in front 7-3 with 13:15 remaining in the half.
Each team also forced a turnover as TCNJ's Ryan Flannery intercepted a Pioneer pass during the opening quarter, and William Paterson got one of its own in the second as freshman
Thomas Guaschino (6-0, 180, Guttenburg, N.J./North Bergen) picked off a Lion pass.
Defensively for the Lions, senior Marc Fabiano posted 3.5 sacks and eight tackles. Dan Polles also played well, finishing with a game-high 13 tackles.
For the Pioneers, freshman
Doug Dudek (5-9, 170, Rockaway, N.J./ Morris Hills) led the team with nine tackles, and senior
Mike Lamego (6-1, 235, North Arlington, N.J./Queen of Peace) finished with eight.
Marshall finished the game 16-for-35 through the air for the Pioneers, racking up 221 yards.
William Paterson remains on the road, heading to No. 9 SUNY Cortland Saturday, Oct. 25, for a 1:00 p.m. contest.
