PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University football team dropped an NE10 contest to Assumption, 26-14, for the Setters' first conference and home defeat of the season.
 
Pace falls to 2-2 overall, and 1-1 in the NE10. The Greyhounds improve to 2-1 and 1-0 in the conference.
 
After a pair of punts from both squads on their opening possessions, Assumption engineered a four-minute, 9-play, 43-yard drive that concluded with a Sean Leonard seven-yard touchdown catch from Jacob Cady to give the Greyhounds a 7-0 lead.
 
The remainder of the first half was rough offensively as the two teams combined for nine more punts for a total of 11 in the opening 30 minutes of action.
 
The Pace defense did do its part in the first half, handing the offense a pair of opportunities following a T'khi Wood-Smith (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) interception and a turnover on downs. However, the two ensuing offensive drives ended in three-and-outs. 
 
Cady would eventually find Baley Collier for a 50-yard reception in the second quarter leading to a field goal, making the score 10-0 heading into the half.

On the first possession of the second half, Assumption's Robbie Tammaro forced a Carlton Aiken (Gibbstown, N.J./Paulsboro) fumble. After a 52-yard drive, Larsen Wilson rushed for a touchdown giving the Greyhounds a 17-0 lead early in the third quarter. At this point, the Pace offense awoke with back-to-back touchdown drives in the third quarter, trimming the lead to 17-14 heading into the final stanza.
 
Aiken put together another terrific rushing day from outside the pocket, amassing 128 yards and one touchdown. He electrified Pace Stadium with a 50-yard rushing score at the 4:26 mark of the third quarter. 
 
After the Setters' second touchdown, the Greyhounds immediately registered a long 10-play, 74-yard scoring drive, deflating the Pace comeback attempt. A fourth-quarter Assumption safety made the final result a 12-point margin.
 
Pace is back in action at home next Saturday in a non-conference game versus Post.
 
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