WAYNE, N.J. – A blocked field goal during the game's final 10 seconds allowed The College of New Jersey (2-5, 2-4 NJAC) to escape William Paterson (2-6, 1-6 NJAC) with a 20-17 victory Oct. 31.
Sophomore Khani Glover posted a four-yard rushing touchdown two plays into the fourth quarter, and classmate Brian Nagy added the extra point to give TCNJ a 13-10 advantage with 14:14 to play.
A Troy Domenick interception gave the Lions the ball back at midfield, and senior running back Victor Scalici converted the turnover into points with a seven-yard carry for a 20-10 lead at the 9:10 mark.
A fumble on the quarterback/running back exchange handed TCNJ the ball at the WP-40, but the Pioneer defense forced a three-and-out. On second-and-10 from his own 33-yard line, junior quarterback Anthony DiMarsico (Stony Point, N.Y./Suffern) tucked the ball and took off, making several defenders miss during a 67-yard touchdown scamper. Freshman Nick DeAngelis (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) kicked the extra point and the Pioneers pulled to within three at 20-17 with 5:25 to play.
William Paterson appeared to get the ball back in TCNJ territory, but the play was ruled dead before the strip and fumble occurred. Instead, the Pioneers eventually forced a punt, and started their final drive at their own 24-yard line with 1:44 on the clock.
Two consecutive 13-yard gains led to a pair of incompletions and a six-yard toss, making it fourth-and-four at the TCNJ-44. DiMarsico picked up the first down with an eight-yard run, and he later moved the chains again with an eight-yard completion to senior Ali Brown (Sicklerville, N.J./Cherry Hill West). On first-and-10 from the 20, junior running back Malcolm Robinson (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) picked up a 10-yard reception, and the Pioneers spiked the ball to stop the clock. Two plays later, DiMarsico found a streaking Robinson on the right side of the end zone, but it was ruled that he did not get his foot down in time, leaving it fourth-and-goal from the nine with 9.6 seconds remaining.
TCNJ called its final timeout to try to ice the kicker, and when DeAngelis did step up to attempt the 26-yard field goal, the Lions brought pressure from the left side. Domenick came through with the block to nullify the game-tying attempt and ensure the Lions' victory.
DiMarsico was 28-for-45 for 308 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and rushed 10 times for 118 yards and a score. Robinson caught seven passes for 86 yards and a TD.
Senior linebacker Carlo Caponetta (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) collected a game-high 15 tackles (1.0 TFL), and senior linebacker Dennis Goodman (Somerset, N.J./Bishop Ahr) had 10 stops.
After a scoreless first quarter, The College of New Jersey got on the board first with a 20-yard throw-and-catch between junior quarterback Michael Marchesano and sophomore tight end Chase Vena. The extra point was wide right, leaving it a 6-0 game with 3:56 left in the second period.
DeAngelis nailed a 44-yard field goal with 5.5 seconds remaining, and the Lions carried a slim 6-3 advantage into the locker room.
William Paterson took its first lead of the day when DiMarsico connected with Robinson for a 16-yard TD pass, pushing the Pioneers ahead by a 10-6 count with 8:39 on the clock in the third.
Sophomore defensive lineman Omar Mahmoud (Morganville, N.J./Marlboro) contributed eight tackles (2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) and an interception. Junior defensive back Jason Montalvo (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) had seven stops (six solo) and a pass breakup.
Marchesano finished 5-for-7 for 58 yards with a touchdown and an interception for TCNJ. Scalici carried 25 times for 134 yards and a score, and Glover gained 47 yards and posted a touchdown on 13 attempts.
Freshman defensive back Eddie Ashley led the Lions with seven tackles, and senior linebacker Zack Vasilenko contributed six stops (1.0 TFL) and a fumble recovery.
William Paterson will play at Christopher Newport Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1:00 p.m.
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