New Haven escapes with win over Pace

WEST HAVEN – Chris Pincince could do without the drama that goes with multiple games decided on last-second kicks. Same for the injury bug that continues to gorge on his starters. But a win is a win. And after a field goal that missed by a whisker cost the University of New Haven football team a victory the last time it took the field at DellaCamera Stadium, Pincince sure didn’t mind winning one in almost the exact same fashion.

New Haven benefitted from two crucial missed kicks in the final 5 minutes.

Pace’s Nick DiCairano missed an extra-point attempt that allowed the Chargers to keep a onepoint lead with 5:00 left in the fourth quarter. DiCairano’s 48-yard field goal attempt with 20 seconds to go was wide right – barely – as New Haven escaped with a 21-20 victory in a Northeast-10 Conference game on Saturday.

On Sept. 9, New Haven missed a 27-yard attempt as time expired to lose by one point to No. 10 LIU-Post.

"I told the team I’m not making any excuses winning on a ball that went six inches to the right because we lost on one that went six inches to the left two weeks ago," Pincince said.

New Haven led 21-14

when Pace quarterback Dan Anerella found Phyll Thomas for a 22-yard touchdown with 5:00 remaining in the game. But DiCairano, a Trumbull native who played at St. Joseph, missed the point-after attempt to preserve the Chargers’ onepoint lead.

But the Chargers, driving to put the game away, gave the ball back two minutes later when receiver Justin White lost his second fumble of the game. Pace recovered on its own 27 and drove to the New Haven 29.

On 4th-and-3 with 20 seconds left, the Setters opted for a field goal. DiCairano, a sophomore, made his only attempt this season, a 30-yarder. His career long is 39. The kick was long enough, just wide.

New Haven remained undefeated in nine all-time games against Pace, a series

that dates back to 2009, the Chargers’ inaugural campaign in the NE-10. It wasn’t stylish or convincing, but it keeps New Haven a game behind the league leaders heading into a Friday night game at Southern Connecticut State.

"I feel like we did just enough to get past," said New Haven quarterback Ajee Patterson. "I’m not happy with the win. But it’s hard to win football games. We got the job done. We just need to start and finish better."

Patterson, one of several New Haven players nursing injuries, was a game-time decision on Saturday morning. He’d practiced during the week and played with a knee brace. Though his mobility was limited, Patterson was well-protected by his line and enjoyed success when he did throw, completing 13-of-24 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

It appeared his day was

done when he took a hit in the Chargers’ second offensive series. Patterson hopped on one foot back to the sideline. Cheshire’s Kellen Croce finished the drive, completing the rare instance of a team’s starting long-snapper doubling as the quarterback.

Patterson was cleared to return and came back in for the next series with no additional physical setbacks.

"Ajee is the leader," Pincince said. "I think he’s the best quarterback in the league. Being out here as the emotional and physical leader, obviously he’s got some athletic ability too. But his presence out here uplifted us a little bit."

New Haven engineered its attack around its running backs to limit potential for Patterson to get hit. Sophomore Ryan McCarthy ran for 73 yards on 15 carries until he suffered an injury, one that Pincince said will keep him out "a long time." Greg Orekoya, a graduate student and UMass transfer, took over and was effective with 43 yards on 12 carries.

Other injured Chargers include cornerback Miles Pease, who didn’t dress Saturday and is out at least two more weeks with a wrist injury. Offensive lineman Hubert Bakowski, receiver Collin Hill and defensive back Josiah Shumaker all left Saturday’s games with injuries.

New Haven’s defense struggled to stop the run at times, but avoided damage by creating three turnovers and coming through on a key fourth-and-goal.

Javeon Ensley, a freshman defensive back from Plainfield, New Jersey, intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter to end one Pace drive. On the Setters next drive, with a 4th-and-goal from the 1, Ensley made the initial hit to stuff running back Jhalen Bien-Aime.