American International hangs on to defeat Greyhounds, 21-14; Fabiano has nine receptions

October 14, 2006

WORCESTER, Mass. --- American International College moved to a 21-7 halftime lead and held on for a 21-14 Northeast-10 Conference football win SATURDAY during Fall Homecoming at the Multi-Sport Stadium.

The Greyhounds, now 3-4 overall and 3-4 in the conferencen got superb efforts from sophomore wide out JOEY FABIANO (Westwood, MA/Westwood) who caught a career- and season-high nine passes for 89 yards . . . from freshman linebacker DUSTIN ZITZMANN (Pinellas Park, FL/Dixie Hollins) who finished with a game-high 2-11--13 tackles . . . from senior linebacker MARK CINAR (Watertown, MA/Watertown) who ended with 5-6--11 tackles and from senior/captain free safety PETER MILLIGAN (Melrose, MA/Melrose) who finished with 4-6--10 tackles

Top performers for the Yellow Jackets, now 4-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference, included senior running back MARLON BECKLES (Brooklyn, NY/Sheepshead), who carried 30 times for 99 yards . . . sophomore punter JONATHAN THORPE (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) who finished with a 38.6 average on five punts including one inside-the-20 and one touchback on a third-period 48-yarder and senior cornerback CARLOS CATAQUET (Brockton, MA/Brockton), who led the defense with 6-5--11 tackles.

The Yellow Jackets took advantage right away as senior cornerback MARCUS WORILDS (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) recovered a fumble at the Hounds 27 on the first play of the game. Beckles carried three times to the 13 and then sophomore quarterback SHANE MURPHY (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) connected with junior fullback MARCUS CAMERON (Hempstead, NY/Hempstead) (for the final 13 yards and touchdown. Sophomore placekicker JUSTIN SOKOLOVE (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The Jackets would drive 56 yards on 11 plays---27 coming off Beckles carries- -on their second possession for a 14-0 lead. The Jackets converted three third down plays in the drive---a one-yard sneak by Murphy, a 33-yard over-the-middle pass from Murphy to sophomore wide receiver TRAVIS POOLE (Brooklyn, NY/Sheepshead Bay) and finally the touchdown pass to freshman tight end DYLAN BARKOWSKI (Burlington VT/Burlington) from two yards out. Sokoloff added the conversion.

The Greyhounds came right back as freshman DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/Narragansett) returned the kickoff 33 yards to the Assumption 48. The drive was highlighted by two converted third-down plays . . . a 17-yard pass from freshman quarterback MARSHALL THARPE (Irvine, CA/Santa Magarita) to Canney and a six-yard quarterback keeper by Tharpe. Senior placekicker MIKE TOBIN (Woburn, MA/Woburn) kicked the conversion.

The game-winner came with just 48 seconds left in the half as the Yellow Jackets sophomore defensive back BRIAN KELLY (Springfield, MA/Commerce) blocked a junior JUSTIN ANTONE (Dracut, MA/Bishop Guertin) punt into the endzone. Sophomore defensive back LEON MULARSKI (Ivorton, CT/Xavier) flopped on the loose ball for the touchdown and Sokoloff made the conversion for a 21-7 halftime advantage.

The Greyhounds climbed back into contention driving 70 yards in 12 plays following an interception on fourth down by sophomore safety CHRIS MARTINO (Lindcroft, NJ/Middletown South) and subsequent 25-yard return to the 30.

Senior quarterback JOE CORREIA (Melrose, MA/St. John's Prep), subbing for the injured Tharpe, came off the bench to lead the Hounds downfield. He completed passes to sophomore wide out JOEY FABIANO (Westwood, MA/Westwood) for 19 yards . . . to junior tight end JAKE LONGENECKER (Fernandina, FL/Manchester, NH West) for 12 yards and to junior wide out JAKE BEERS (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) for 18 more . . . before senior running back KEVIN L'ECUYER (Leominster, MA/Leominster) ran two yards for the touchdown. Tobin kicked the conversion making it a seven-point game (21-14).

The game came down to the Hounds last possession as they drove 57 yards in nine plays only to be stopped by the Yellow Jackets on a fourth-and-one quarterback sneak play. Senior tackle MICHAEL RAFFERTY (Wheatley Heights, NH/Half Hollow Hills) and sophomore tackle BRIAN DESTEPHANO (Brooklyn, NY/Sheepshead Bay) stuffed Correia for no gain at their 21 with 1:58 remaining (and no time outs left).

GREYHOUND NOTES: junior wide out JAKE BEERS (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) caught three passes for 57 yards . . . he has 35 receptions for 491 yards for the season and 92 catches for 1,097 yards in his career . . . junior tight end JAKE LONGENECKER (Fernandina, FL/Manchester, NH West) had three catches for 28 yards . . . he now has 25 catches for 303 yards for the season and 68 receptions for 889 yards in his career . . . sophomore wide out JOEY FABIANO (Westwood, MA/Westwood) now has 37 receptions for 330 yards . . . freshman DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/Narragansett) has 20 receptions for 204 yards . . . he is among the conference leaders in kickoff returns (16 for 284 yards, 17.8 average) . . .

NEXT WEEK: the Greyhounds will play at Northeast-10 Conference rival Merrimack College SATURDAY at 1 p.m.

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