SETTERS DROP HOME OPENER TO SAINT ANSELM 17-13 

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. - Senior tailback Nathaniel Ford (Queens, NY/Jamaica) (Queens, NY/Jamaica) rushed for 120 yards on the ground with one touchdown but it was not enough as the Setters fell to the Hawks of Saint Anselm College in Pace's home opener. The Setters fall to 0-3 on the season and 0-2 in the NE-10, while the Hawks even their record at 2-2 and 1-1 in conference play.

Saint Anselm struck first as the Hawks would cap an 11-play, 59-yard drive culminating with a 23-yard field goal from Zack McCabe. The field goal came at the 8:25 mark of the opening quarter.

The Setters would capitalize on a Hawk miscue early in the second quarter as a Trevor Tanifum (New Rochelle, NY/Hampshire Collegiate) (New Rochelle, NY/Hampshire Collegiate) punt deflected off a Saint Anselm blocker as was recovered by the Setters at the four-yard-line. The Hawks was also flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, giving Pace prime position from the Saint Anselm two-yard-line. On the first play from scrimmage Ford would plow through the line on his way to the end zone and a 7-3 Setter lead with 13:56 left in the second quarter.

The defenses would stand tall as each side would force a three and out on the ensuing two possessions. Saint Anselm's offense would move the ball midway through the quarter to retake the lead. Quarterback Michael Pierce would connect with Ryan Fritch for a 21-yard touchdown strike to put the Hawks back in the lead at 10-7 with 8:43 remaining in the quarter.

After a Pace three-and-out on offense, the Hawks would again drive down the field but it was cut short as David Lopez (Ozone Park, NY/Christ the King) (Ozone Park, NY/Christ the King) forced a fumble and the ball was recovered by Pat Finnegan (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) on the Setter 36-yard-line. The Setters would drive down to the Saint Anselm 22-yard-line but a bad snap on a field goal attempt as time expired left Pace down by three at halftime.

Saint Anselm would get a good return on the opening kickoff of the second half, starting their first drive in Pace territory. Pierce would connect with Fritch for a 27-yard pass play to get down to the Setter 20-yard-line. Following a Hawk holding penalty, Pierce would hit Marc Wilson for a 30-yard touchdown pass to extend the Hawk lead to 17-7.

After trading possessions the rest of the third quarter, the Setters would take their first drive of the fourth quarter deep into Saint Anselm territory. Ford would carry the ball for 14 yards on the drive and A.J. Kulak (Wolcott, CT/Wolcott) would catch a key 29-yard reception to get the Setters inside the Hawk 10-yard-line Three plays later, quarterback Ray Gregg (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) hit play-action pass and hit Kulak for a three-yard touchdown. The extra point would be blocked and the Setters would three 17-13 with 11:09 left in the game.

The teams would exchange possessions and the Setters would have one final drive with 4:51 left in the game. Ford would account for all 45 yards on the drive, bringing the Setters to the Hawks 30-yard line. Gregg would look for Eric Ortega (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's) (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's) in the end zone but the pass would be intercepted by Ethan Sylvain with 1:17 left on the clock. Pace would have one final shot with two seconds left from the Saint Anselm 40-yard-line. Gregg would roll out and again look for the end zone where Sylvain would pick the ball off at the Hawks nine-yard line as time expired.

Ford led the Setters' rushing attack with his 120 yards on 24 carries, while Jason Washington (Bronx, NY/Mamaroneck HS/Iona College) (Bronx, NY/Mamaroneck/Iona College) ran for 40 yards. Gregg finished with 164 yards passing, completing 16-of-34 passes. Kulak led the team with five receptions, finishing with 45 yards. Ortega posted the team-high 62 receiving yards on three catches.

On defense, Jonfrey Sanchez (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) totaled 11 tackles, including 1.5 for losses. Lopez finished with nine tackles and a fumble recovery, while Marvin Taylor (Newtown, CT/UConn) (Newtown, CT/UConn) added nine tackles.

Pace returns to action on Saturday, September 26 when the Setters will host the Lions of Albright College in a non-conference  match-up set for a 12:00 pm kickoff.

For pictures from today's game, please go to http://www.csi-photo.net/gallery.html