The College of New Jersey Athletics

Matt Flynn '16

Ewing, NJ ….. The College of New Jersey football team jumped out to a fast 14-7 lead over the fifth-ranked Wesley College, but the Wolverines responded with 38 unanswered points to come away with a 45-14 win at Lions Stadium on Saturday.
 
The Lions fall to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the NJAC, while Wesley improves to 5-0 and 4-0 in the conference.
 
TCNJ, after a bye week and cancelled game against Salisbury, looked well rested and ready to pounce as junior quarterback Michael Marchesano (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) found receiver Max Boerstoel (Boonton, NJ/Mountain Lakes) for a 38 yard pass to jump out to a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Sophomore Brian Nagy (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) added the point after on the play as the hosts led by a touchdown less than three minutes into the game.
 
Following a strong Wesley drive to tie the game at 7, the Lions sophomore quarterback Trevor Osler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) fired a powerful touch pass for a 40-yard score to senior specialty receiver Nick Craig (Howell, NJ/Howell). That score came only seven seconds into the second quarter.
 
The Wolverines then score 28 straight points in the period to take a 35-14 lead into the half.
 
A goal-line stop at the start of the third quarter for the Lions was led by the continuously improving front seven and gave some momentum for the offense to work with, but the game continued to slip away despite the positives.

Wesley scored the only 10 points in the second half.
 
Linebacker Zack Vasilenko (Spring Lake Heights, NJ/Manasquan) had a big game for the Lions with 12 tackles, an interception and sack. Defensive End Abdelrahman Ragab (Edison, NJ/Edison) and freshman linebacker Max Busca (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) each had five solo tackles.
 
Wesley quarterback Joe Callahan (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) had a big game through the air with 367 yards and three touchdowns as he connected on 22-of-30 attempts. Running back Jamar Baynard (Townsend, DE/Middleton) added to the attack with 115 yards on 20 rushing attempts.
 
The Lions are away for the first time in a while next Saturday when they visit Frostburg State (4-1) for a noon game on October 17.