WEST HAVEN, Conn. – For the first time since the 2016 campaign, the New Haven football team held their opponent scoreless en route to a 63-0 shutout of Franklin Pierce. Leading the Blue and Gold on the day was junior quarterback Christian Lupoli (Branford, Conn./Notre Dame) who was responsible for four of the Chargers nine touchdowns, passing for three and rushing for one.

Seven of the Chargers touchdowns came on offense while the other two came by way of a a 62-yard punt return from graduate receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) and an 85-yard fumble recovery from senior Josiah Shumaker (Ledyard, Conn./Ledyard). In addition to Lupoli's four score, Williams was a part of three touchdowns with a pair of receiving scores, while sophomore Shamar Logan (Brooklyn, N.Y./High School for Youth & Community Development) scored twice on a six yard completion and a one yard rush.

Overall for the day, Lupoli finished with 157 passing yards, completing 10-of-13 pass attempts with three of those ending in touchdowns. His single rushing touchdown came on the opening drive of the game when he capped off a 6-4yard drive with a one-yard keeper, part of nine net yards on the ground for the junior hurler.

Among Lupoli's 10 completions, Williams led the Chargers completing four for a total of 82 yards including a long on the day of 51 yards which came in the third quarter. Two of those four went for touchdowns with the first on a three yard catch and the second on a 15-yard completion. Williams also finished with 17 rushing yards on his only carry of the day. Following Williams was senior AJ Greene (Middle Island, N.Y./Newfield) who caught three passes for 40 yards total.

On the ground, Logan led the way with 83 net yards and one touchdown, while senior Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) and sophomore Zach Mauro (Woodbury, Conn./Nonnewaug) also closing out drive with a rushing touchdown. Liggio would score the second touchdown of the day as part of his 11 total carries which net 40 yards. Mauro capped off the longest drive of the day for the Chargers, a 79-yard drive that he finished off with a three-yard run to the end zone. Overall, Mauro finished with 44 yards on six attempts.

Williams 62-yard punt return touchdown was part of two total for the graduate student as he finished the day with 86 punt return yards, while Brett Huber (Milford, Conn./Foran) also returned a punt for 18 yards.

Defensively, New Haven was led once again by a true freshman, Anthony Repollet (Hamden, Conn./Hamden Hall Country Day School). This time around, the rookie racked up a career-high 12 total tackles while he also added a forced fumble on the one eventually scooped up by Shumaker and run 85 yards to the house. This is the second week in a row that Repollet's defense has directly led to a New Haven touchdown, following his two blocked punts against SCSU that led to nine points. Among his game-high 12 total tackles were a pair of tackles for loss that accounted for a pair of yards lost.

Following Repollet in leading the defense was redshirt freshman defensive back Adam McDaniel (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) who finished with five tackles, all of which were solo stops. Overall, New Haven finished with 12 tackles for loss with the 1.5 from Repollet tied with sophomore Jonathan Ogungbenro (Cliffwood, N.J./Matawan) and sophomore Jordan Riggs (Everett, Mass./Everett) in leading the team. Additionally, three of those TFL were sacks, solo sacks from Riggs, senior Markel Johnson (Jersey City, N.J./Lincoln) and junior Khalim Cisse (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro).

Next time New Haven returns to the field it will be the Chargers final road contest of the regular season when they travel to Assumption on Saturday, November 9. Opening kickoff in the regular season road finale is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Greyhounds Multi-Sport Stadium.