NEW HAVEN, CT- The Pace Football team survived a defensive battle as they rallied back to defeat the Southern Connecticut State University Owls 10-7. The victory marks the program's first win over the Owls in 21 meetings all-time.

The teams played a defensive battle in the first half as the teams traded drives in the opening quarter. The owls broke through first as Seth Sheridan rushed it in from three yards out for a 7-0 lead for Southern Connecticut.

The Setters answered later in the quarter as Valentino Miles broke free for a 48 yard run down to the Southern Connecticut six-yard-line. Three plays later, Brian Beeker found the end zone from three yard out to pull the Setters even at 7.

Pace received the first possession of the second half and took advantage of a 44 yard kickoff return by freshman Jhalen Bien-Aime to set up the Setter offense at the Owl 41-yard-line. The drive stalled at the 10-yard-line but the Setters took the lead as Jan Strzelecki booted a 27-yard field goal to put the Setters front 10-7.  

The Pace defense made plays when it needed them and holding the Owls out of the end zone in the second half. Southern Connecticut missed a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter including one with nine seconds left that secured the win for the Setters.

The win marks the team first win since the 2011 season when they knocked off Stonehill College 23-20 in overtime on September 10 on that season. It also first the program's first win over the Owls in 21 meetings all-time.

For the Setters, Beeker rushed for 35 yards, while completing 13-of-22 passes for 59 yards. Kyle Vadis hauled in eight catches for 49 yards for the Setters, while Miles finished with 67 yards on the ground. Tyler Owens led the Pace defense with nine tackles, including three for losses. Akwasi Degraft added seven tackles in his final collegiate game, while Matthew Corrie also totaled seven tackles with two for losses.