Box Score 

WAYNE, N.J. – An Emilio Genzano 22-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining lifted Brockport (1-0, 1-0 NJAC) to a 22-19 season-opening victory at William Paterson (0-1, 0-1 NJAC) in New Jersey Athletic Conference action Sept. 5 at Wightman Stadium.

A year after Brockport earned a 26-20 double-overtime victory against the Pioneers, the two teams once again played a game that was not decided until the final whistle. William Paterson owned a 19-7 lead with 2:35 remaining in the third quarter, but the Golden Eagles fought back to eventually tie the score. After a 14-yard Corey Paladino (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) touchdown and failed two-point attempt gave the Pioneers the 12-point advantage, Brockport covered 51 yards on seven plays, the last a four-yard Riedrick Alceus TD scamper. Genzano missed the PAT wide for a 19-13 score with 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Pioneers were unable to get into Golden Eagle territory during their next possession, and Brockport took advantage on its next drive when Alceus pushed his way into the end zone from a yard out, knotting the game at 19-19 with 9:22 to play. The Pioneers, who had been close to blocking Genzano earlier in the contest, came through at the most opportune time as junior Leer Biddle (Sicklerville, N.J./Lenape) got his hand on the ball and knocked it to the ground, preserving the deadlock.

Brockport's defense stepped up and forced a William Paterson three-and-out, and the Golden Eagles got the ball back at their own 38-yard line after a 27-yard Dan DeCicco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) punt. Brockport twice converted on fourth down during their final possession, including a six-yard completion from Jake Graci to Tamere Shannon on fourth-and-five from the WP-20 to set up the eventual game-winning field goal. Following a 30-yard DeCicco return of the ensuing kickoff, the Pioneers had the ball on their own 41-yard line with three seconds on the clock. Quarterback Matt Marshall (Burlington, N.J./Burlington City) found Joel Rivera (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) for a 24-yard completion, but he was pushed out of bounds on the right sideline after the final horn sounded, ending the Pioneers' comeback hopes.

WP jumped out to a 10-0 lead against the visiting Golden Eagles, the first score coming via a 25-yard field goal off the foot of freshman Ryan Brzycki (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte) with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. Two possessions later, William Paterson engineered a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive to find pay dirt, one kept alive on third-and-five thanks to a 33-yard completion from Marshall to tight end Chris Schule (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford). Four plays later on second-and-goal from the one-yard line, Marshall connected with Schule again for the first WP touchdown of the season. Brzycki's extra point was good, making it a 10-0 advantage with 6:06 on the clock.

Brockport responded during its next possession, covering 86 yards on 10 plays for its first points of the day. Back-to-back completions by Graci at midfield helped to generate momentum for the Golden Eagles, and he finished off the drive with a five-yard sprint over the goal line. Genzano kicked the extra point, pulling Brockport within three at 10-7 with 2:10 remaining in the first half.

William Paterson scored during its first possession of the second half, a 27-yard Brzycki field goal, for a 13-7 score, before Paladino's touchdown made it a 12-point lead for the Pioneers.

Graci was 10-of-14 for 98 yards, while Alceus rushed 24 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Zurn added 81 yards on 19 attempts for the Golden Eagles. Shannon had five receptions for 40 yards.

Marshall was 15-for-34 for 173 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Sophomore Marcus McKinney (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) gained 99 yards on 21 carries, while Paladino rushed seven times for 35 yards and a score. Junior Derrik Rideg (Rochelle Park, N.J./Paramus Catholic) led the receivers with five catches and 59 yards, while Schule had three receptions for 45 yards and a TD.

Junior Nathan Bull had 17 tackles (nine solo) to lead the Brockport defense. Matt Mangona and Derek Austin each had 10 stops for the Golden Eagles.

Junior Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) made 17 tackles (nine solo) for the Pioneers, while seniors Jared Burke (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Egg Harbor Twp.) and Keith Sayball (Milford, Conn./Foran) each had eight.

William Paterson will return to action Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Pioneers play at King's at 1:00 p.m. Brockport will host Frostburg State Sept. 19 at 1:00 p.m.