Box Score Staten Island, N.Y. – The Sacred Heart University football team defeated Northeast Conference host Wagner College 23-7 at Hamline Field Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Pioneers to 7-2 on the year and 3-1 in NEC play, while the Seahawks fall to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in league play.
J.D. Roussel blocked Bryan Maley's 35-yard game-tying field goal attempt, and Preston Sanford picked the ball up at the four-yard line and returned it 96 yards for the touchdown and a 17-7 Pioneer lead. Roussel intercepted Wagner's first play of the second half as well.
The Pioneers tacked on another touchdown on their next drive, after another blocked kick. Jordan Baskerville blocked Chris Roger's 42-yard field goal attempt. The ball dropped behind the line of scrimmage where Pat Casey picked it up and ran 26 yards for the touchdown and a 23-7 lead.
Wagner took the early lead on a 53-yard run by Otis Wright on a second-down play with 5:39 to play in the first quarter.
Chris Rogers converted a 20-yard field goal 11 seconds into the second quarter to put the Pioneers on the board. It was the 45th career field goal for Rogers, who became the NEC all-time leader with the kick.
The Pioneers took the lead on an eight-yard touchdown run by Moses Webb on a reverse from Keshaudas Spence. Spence took the initial handoff and came towards the near sideline before flipping to Webb, who was sprung free by a Dan Polaski block as Webb came around the edge to get to the pylon.
The SHU defense allowed 142 yards on the afternoon, holding Wagner to just 18 yards in the third quarter and 46 in the second half. Connor Caveney led the Pioneers with seven tackles, along with one for a loss. SHU finished with five sacks, two from Gordon Hill, and eight TFL's. Roussel had three tackles and his 17th career interception, tying him for second in NEC history. Kevin Barry also finished with seven tackles on the day, and a TFL, while hill ended the day with six stops.
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, November 8 at Central Connecticut State University. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
