WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University football team defeated Sacred Heart 19-7 in Northeast Conference play at a rainy Kessler Field on Saturday. The Hawks improve to 6-4 and 5-1 in the league with the win, while Sacred Heart falls to 8-2 and 4-2 in the conference with the loss. In the game, Monmouth's David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) became the NEC's all-time leading scorer when he scored his first of two touchdowns late in the third quarter. He came in to the game tied with former Wagner running back Rick Sarille at 300 points.
“Today was a terrific effort by one of our captains,” said head coach Kevin Callahan. “He was able to score two second half touchdowns that secured our victory despite coming back from a third quarter injury.”
The Monmouth defense was the story of the day, limiting the league's best offense to 183 total yards, 186 below their season average and seven points, 26.2 points below their league-best mark of 33.2 points per contest. Both totals represent season-lows for the Pioneers offense.
“I was very pleased with how the defense played,” said head coach Kevin Callahan. “Sacred Heart has a prolific passing attack that the defense kept under control. In the second half, the defense took control and was able to limit its opportunities.”
Monmouth kicked got a pair of field goals from Fred Weingart (New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt) early to take a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. The first kick capped off a 9-play, 46-yard drive while the second kick ended a 13-play, 73-yard jaunt that took 7:02 off the clock.
Sacred Heart responded with an 18-play, 84-yard drive of their own, capped off when quarterback Dale Fink hit running back Evin Jones on a one-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal to put the Pioneers up 7-6 at halftime.
Sinisi took over after halftime, scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns, the first of which set the conference scoring record. The senior ran 29 times for 87 yards in the game. Quarterback Brett Burke (Wall, N.J./Wall) enjoyed his finest performance of the season, completing 20-of-25 passes for 227 yards in a steady rain. John Nalbone (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence) hauled in five passes for 71 yards in the game, while Rodney Salomon (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) caught three passes for 41 yards. Steve Dowens (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) made three catches for 37 yards while Nick Romeo (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) caught of passes for 21 yards.
The Monmouth defense, which limited Jones to 26 yards, almost 100 below his season average, was paced by Jeff Brady (East Aurora, N.Y./St. Francis) eight tackles and first career interception. Kendall Haley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel) made seven tackles, including four solo stops. David Kennedy (Fort Lee, N.J./Paterson Catholic) made two tackles-for-loss and had a sack and a pass break-up in the game.
Fink was 19-of-33 passing for 150 yards in the game, 75 yards below his season average. Tony Patterson caught six passes for 47 yards while Steve Tedesco pulled down five passes for 52 yards. Brian Flumere made nine tackles in the game for SHU, while Rich Marrone made six stops.
The game also marked Senior and Family Day, and the Hawks celebrated their 13 senior student-athletes playing in their final home game.
“The seniors have meant so much to this program and it was great to send them off with a victory in their final home game,” said Callahan, who celebrated his 95th career win against Sacred Heart.
The Hawks return to action next Saturday when they visit Duquesne in their 2008 regular season finale.
