INDIANA, Pa. – The New Haven football team cut the deficit to as little as four early in the fourth quarter but was unable to overcome, dropping the 2019 season opener 24-13 on the road against the Indiana (Pa.) Crimson Hawks.
Trailing by 10 at the intermission, New Haven scored the first six points in the second half on a pair of field goals off the boot of Michael Stalenyj (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) from 21 and 28 yards out. The Chargers lone touchdown on the day came in the opening minutes of the second quarter when Nick Robins (Nephi, Utah/Juab) connected with Brett Huber (Milford, Conn./Foran) from the seven yard line.
After surrendering a touchdown to the Crimson Hawks in the fourth quarter putting them ahead 11, the Chargers were on the verge of scoring when on a fourth and 18 attempt Robins pass to Chris Carlyle (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson) was knocked out of his grasp.
Robins and transfer quarterback Christian Lupoli (Branford, Conn./Notre Dame) split the snaps on the day with Robins leading the pair connecting on 16-of-28 pass attempts for 171 yards. Lupoli would throw five passes on the day and successfully found his man four times for a total of 28 yards.
The Chargers would add to their 199 passing yards with 146 rushing yards to finish the game with 345 total yards outgaining the Crimson Hawks by 73 yards. Leading the rushing game was senior captain Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) who finished with 90 yards on 14 attempts. Sophomore Shamar Logan (Brooklyn, N.Y./High School for Youth & Community Development) followed him racking up 61 yards on 13 attempts including the longest ground haul of the afternoon, a 30-yard gain. Lupoli also added 19 yards on the ground.
Among six receivers that Robbins and Lupoli targeted, the Chargers were led by graduate student Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) who finished the afternoon with 69 yards on five catches. Senior AJ Greene (Middle Island, N.Y./Newfield) also finished with five catches, finishing with 46 yards while Carlyle and Huber followed with 37 and 32 yards, respectively on four catches apiece.
Defensively, New Haven was led by graduate transfer Zach Cofrancesco (East Haven, Conn./Notre Dame) who racked up 14 total tackles, one of two players with double digit stops. Cofrancesco split his tackles evenly between solo stops and assists while he was joined in leading the way by sophomore Ryan Hodgins (Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive) who finished with 11 tackles. Hodgins also picked off one of three interceptions for the Chargers defense, returning his haul 15 yards eventually setting up a scoring drive. In addition to Hodgins interception, Shawn Tafe (Bronx, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) and D'won Walker (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) each picked off a Crimson Hawk pass.
Joining Cofrancesco and Hodgins on leading the defense was Markel Johnson (Jersey City, N.J./Lincoln) and Allah Sessions (Elmira, N.Y./Elmira) who each finished with eight tackles. Johnson also added a sack in the first half as part of two tackles for loss which tied Cofrancesco for the lead. Johnson's sack drove the Crimson Hawks back 13 yards and was one of two on the day with Khalim Cisse (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) picking up the other. Additionally, Johnson blocked a field goal in the first quarter that kept deficit within a single possession.
New Haven will return to action in one week when they travel to Easton, Mass. for a non-conference date against fellow NE10 opponent Stonehill. Kickoff at W.B. Mason Stadium against the Skyhawks is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
