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KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Benedictine University football team claimed the first win of the season with a late field goal to best Kalamazoo 16-14 on Saturday.
Jacob Plevell hit his third field goal of the game with just :36 remaining to allow Benedictine to sneak out with a 16-14 win after failing to hold a 13-0 advantage. The victory marked the 50th in the career of head coach Jon Cooper.
Trailing 14-13, Benedictine took the ball with 3:25 remaining following the go ahead drive. The Eagles marched 66 yards on eight plays to score the victory. Ryan Keener completed three straight passes to put Benedictine on the doorstep. Two of the completions went to Greg German, who reeled in six passes during the contest. The drive stalled at the three-yard line on fourth down. Plevell kicked a 21-yard field goal but a holding penalty forced another attempt. Plevell's second try converted as well to account for the difference. Kalamazoo moved into Benedictine territory but time ran out and the contest came to a close.
Benedictine opened the scoring after Kalamazoo fumbled on the opening drive. Artie Monaco, playing for the first time since the season opener, scooted in from six yards out to give Benedictine the lead with 13:22 to go in the first quarter. A blocked punt set up the second score. Plevell connected on his first field goal of the game and year with 6:42 remaining in the first. The distance became longer following a penalty as a 34-yard attempt extended the edge to 10-0.
Luke Ludolph guided Benedictine to another field goal early in the second quarter. Plevell finished an eight-play drive with a 23-yard attempt to extend the lead to 13-0 with 7:21 to play in the first half. The score remained 13-0 until the fourth quarter when Kalamazoo scored twice to take the lead.
Both teams showcased strong defense with neither accumulating more than 250 yards. Monaco totaled 35 yards on the ground. Keener completed 13 passes for 138 yards. Jarrett Lecas and Andrew Soulis paced the defense with 13 stops each.
Benedictine (1-3) opens play in the NACC next Saturday on the road at 1:00 p.m. against Wisconsin Lutheran.