Box Score
Box score

Union, NJ … The College of New Jersey football team suffered its first loss in tough-to-swallow fashion, dropping a 7-6 decision at Kean University on Friday night.
 
The Lions (3-1, 2-1 NJAC) had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds of the game, but a 25-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Olsson (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) was blocked as the 16^th-ranked Cougars (4-0, 3-0 NJAC) held on to remain unbeaten and atop the standings in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
 
It was the first loss of the season for TCNJ despite the fact its defense held Kean scoreless for the final 57:29 of the contest. The Lions dominated play in the second half, but could not close out several positive drives, including the drive in their final possession of the game.
 
Kean got on the board early after recovering a fumble at midfield just under a minute into the game. Quarterback Tom D'Ambrisi rushed for 17 yards and completed a pair of passes before Chris DiMicco rumbled in from two yards out to go up 7-0.
 
The Lions' offense was sluggish in the opening period, giving the Cougars a window to increase their advantage. But defensive back Shawn Brown (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) picked off two passes in the first quarter – the second deep in TCNJ territory – to keep Kean from posting additional early points.
 
Starting at their own 39-yard line, the Lions finally got the engines going as senior quarterback Jay Donoghue (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) completed three straight passes. Junior Christopher Meliado (Ridgefield Park, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) had receptions of 12 and eight yards sandwiched around an eight-yard completion to junior Brian Mills (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence). A pass interference call put TCNJ in the red zone and another eight-yard reception by Mills placed the ball at the Kean five. After a loss of a yard, Matthew Rosati (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. The Lions failed to convert, so the score stood at 7-6.
 
The Cougars advanced the ball into TCNJ territory with seconds remaining in the half. They attempted a 47-yard field goal, but sophomore Justin Bruso (Verona, NJ/Verona) blocked the kick to keep the score 7-6 at the intermission.
 
Both defenses maintained control of the game the majority of the third quarter until the Lions marched 52 yards to the Cougar 18 yard-line. But Donoghue was picked off for the first time this season as Kean took over possession at their 10 with 20 seconds remaining in the period.
 
After the defense forced Kean to their fifth straight 'three-and-out' series of the half, TCNJ regained possession at the Cougar 44. Donoghue led another successful drive, and on third-and-three, was stopped at the one yard-line. The field goal attempt was pushed right, however, and Kean still held a one-point advantage.
 
With 2:31 remaining in the game trailing 7-6, TCNJ took possession at their 37. A pair of completions by Donoghue and a face mask penalty called on Kean put the ball at the Cougar 34. The senior quarterback followed up with gains of 11 and four yards on the ground, before Falco chewed up eight yards on two carries.
 
After Kean took a timeout with 54 seconds remaining, the Lions looked to take their first lead with a field goal. But the Cougar special teams, who have two touchdowns this season off blocked kicks, came up big again as Ray Wegryznek deflected the attempt and Kean recovered.
 
For TCNJ, Mills had a career-high nine catches for 83 yards. It was the most catches by a Lions' receiver since Cam Richardson had nine receptions against SUNY Cortland on November 1, 2008.
 
Donoghue was 21-of-33 passing for 150 yards and Meliado had five receptions for 45 yards.
 
TCNJ's defense had an outstanding night, sacking D'Ambrisi three times and accumulating nine tackles for loss of yards. Senior John Kinzel (Howell, NJ/Red Bank Catholic), junior Greg Burns (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West), and sophomore Nick Bricker (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) each led the Lions with 10 tackles. Bricker had nine solo tackles and three tackles for a loss of 13 total yards.
 
Senior linebacker Michael Lambert (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) also had seven tackles in the game and Brown took down six Cougars.
 
The Lions will dust off and return home to take on The College at Brockport on Saturday, October 8 in Lions' Stadium. The NJAC contest is scheduled for  a noon kickoff.