CONTACT: Justin Hoyt, (518) 629-7898, j.hoyt@hvcc.edu
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013
The Hudson Valley Community College football team (1-2) defeated Erie Community College (1-3) 23-13 on Saturday afternoon.
The Vikings struck first after an Erie botched punt. Nick Casale (Tamarac/Troy) found Donnie Neal (Lewis/Baltimore, MD) for a nine-yard touchdown on the first offensive play. Anthony Vilardi (Shenendehowa/Clifton Park) connected on a 21-yard field goal in the second quarter to give the Vikings an 11-0 lead. Erie had two late scores before the end of the half to cut the Viking lead to 11-10.
Hudson Valley received the ball to start the second half and drove 80 yards for a touchdown. Casale connected with Brandon Egan-Thorpe (New Paltz/New Paltz) for a nine-yard touchdown. Elijah Udoh (Manchester/Manchester, CT) sealed the game in the fourth quarter as he ran for a 64-yard touchdown to give the Vikings their first win of the season.
Casale threw for 81 yards and ran for 87. Udoh racked up 75 yards on the ground and Egan-Thrope led all receivers with three catches for 27 yards. Rashan Umari-Stacker (Longwood/Middle Island) led the defense with 11 tackles and Ashton McKenzie (Clinton/Bronx) recorded six tackles and two sacks.
The Vikings travel to Nassau on Friday for a game at 7 p.m.