Rain was no match for the New Haven football team on Saturday, Oct. 7 as the team hosted the Lincoln University Oaklanders, shutting them out in a lopsided 38-0 affair. It was a special game day for New Haven, as families lined the seats to commemorate family weekend. It was also their annual breast cancer awareness game where many of the players and fans sported pink apparel to show their support.
After the first quarter, the team honored Pink Clover Foundation Comfort Care recipients Essi Hounsinou, Sylvia Rivera, Michelle Smith and Monica Herold. The recipients were each given a $2,000 check to help with their ongoing battle with breast cancer. The Pink Clover Foundation was started by the friends and family of former New Haven football player Sam Sorbello in 2017, after he lost his wife, Colleen, due to breast cancer.
Considering the special occasions taking place, the Chargers were determined and ready to go at the start of the game. Freshman running back Jayden Shwed started the momentum, recovering a muffed punt which set up New Haven’s first score of the game. This touchdown was scored by tight end Kevin Foelsch, receiving the seven-yard pass from quarterback Daelen Menard. When the Chargers got the ball again, kicker Vincenzo DeSimone connected on a 23-yard field goal to take a 10-0 lead. Lincoln attempted to answer back from their own 34, but failed to convert on fourth down, coming up a yard short.
New Haven was forced to switch things up on the offense after Menard suffered an injury due to a late hit on the second series. Backup quarterback Jack Chandler stepped up with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Foelsch. Chandler continued adding to this success with a flawless pass down the sideline to wide receiver Javon Turner for an 88-yard touchdown.
Later in the first half, wide receiver Kha’lil Eason recovered and returned a blocked punt for a score. This was followed by another blocked punt and a two-yard scoring pass from Chandler to graduate tight end Zoltan Panyi for the final touchdown of the game. This was Panyi’s first collegiate touchdown after switching positions from quarterback to tight end for the benefit of the team. With so much excitement in the first half, the Chargers were nothing but elated for Panyi’s achievement.
The score was 38-0 going into the second half, with the Chargers unable to add to the score. New Haven was able to hold the Oaklanders to 32 yards on 35 rushing attempts. Lincoln finished with 137 yards of offense. The defense for New Haven was led by linebackers Devin O’Malley and Joe Vitale, along with defensive lineman Jack Quander, with six tackles. Interceptions were made by defensive backs Juan Rosario and Chima Opara.
After an all-out team effort, the Chargers dominated on the special day, defeating Lincoln University 38-0. This game concluded non-conference play for New Haven and advanced them to a 5-1 overall record. The Chargers are still 3-0 in the Northeast-10 conference and will host Saint Anselm on Saturday, Oct. 14 for their homecoming game. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.