Box Score
(09-11-09) WORCESTER, Mass. - The University of New Haven football team fell 31-10 Friday night to Assumption College. With the loss in Worcester, Mass. the Chargers fall to 1-1 overall (0-1 NE-10), while the Greyhounds improve to 2-1 overall (1-0 NE-10).
Herb Woodard rushed for 175 yards to lead the Greyhounds and the Chargers fumbled the ball eight times at the rain filled Multi Sport Stadium on the Assumption College campus in the loss.
The Greyhounds scored first in Friday's game with a 10-yard touchdown run which capped a three-play 63-yard drive in the opening 1:14. The Chargers then took the ball and put together their own scoring drive capped by a Michael Herrara 34-yard field goal. The 11-play drive took over four minutes off the clock and 45-yards.
Assumption then went on a 14-0 run to finish the half, taking a 21-3 lead at halftime. However, the Chargers did have an opportunity to take the lead in the opening period. On their second drive of the opening quarter, the Chargers took an 11-play 57-yard drive all the way to the Assumption 4-yard line. The drive, which began at their own 31-yard line, unfortunately ended in a fumble which was recovered by the Greyhounds.
The Chargers also turned the ball over on downs and had a blocked field goal in the opening half, which resulted in an Assumption touchdown late in the second quarter.
New Haven answered early in the second half with a 9-play 78-yard drive which was capped by a 38-yard touchdown pass and catch by Ryan Osiecki and Sharieff Hall. The Greyhounds answered with a field goal, bringing the score to 24-10.
The Chargers then turned the ball over on downs, missing a first down by just a couple yards on the Assumption 20-yard line. Each team exchanged punts midway through the fourth quarter, before the Chargers mounted a long drive into the Greyhounds red zone. The 10-play 60-yard drive took the Chargers all the way to the Greyhounds' end zone, but unfortunately ended on a UNH fumble and Assumption recovery.
The Chargers' defense then held strong, forcing the Greyhounds to punt after three plays. The ensuing Greyhound punt reception was also fumbled by New Haven and recovered by the Greyhounds, who began to grind the ball in the final five minutes. Herb Woodard scored his fourth touchdown of the game to give the Greyhounds a 31-10 lead with 49-second left in the fourth.
Osiecki led the Chargers' offense with 348 yards passing on 32-of-54 through the air. Hall led the UNH air attack with 12 receptions for 134 yards, while Demitrius Washington-Ellison and Chris Ruffin added four catches each. Osiecki led the UNH rushing attack as well with nine rushes for 24 yards.
The UNH defense was led by Desmond Anderson with eight tackles and Mike Gomes with seven tackles.
The Chargers tallied eight fumbles in the game, losing three to the Greyhounds. The Chargers trailed 41-202 in yards rushing, but held a 348-146 advantage in passing.
New Haven returns to action in another Northeast-10 Conference matchup on Saturday, September 19 when they host Bentley University in their 2009 home opener. Game time at the new Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
