CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, September 24, 2005
Nassau Community College raced out to a 16-0 lead and held on to defeat Hudson Valley Community College, 16-14, earlier today in Troy.
Nassau, which is ranked No. 5 in the latest NJCAA poll, improves its record to 4-0 and 3-0 in the Northeast Football Conference. Eleventh-ranked Hudson Valley had its eight-game winning streak snapped and falls to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Nassau took a 2-0 lead into halftime when Hudson Valley mishandled a snap and the Vikings had to fall on it in their own end zone with 4:16 remaining in the first half.
Nassau went up 9-0 early in the third quarter on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Cory Christopher (Miami, FL) to Vincent Trent (Shirley), and improved its lead to 16-0 on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Christopher with 3:37 remaining in the quarter. The 42-yard drive was made possible when Hudson Valley fumbled a Nassau punt.
The Vikings responded on their next possession when freshman quarterback Marcus McLain (Pikeville, MD/Randallstown High School) hit sophomore running back Dane Samuels (New City/Clarkstown High School) with a shovel pass and Samuels raced 84 yards for the touchdown.
Hudson Valley made it a 16-14 game with 3:44 remaining in the contest on a four-yard touchdown run by freshman Axel Cortijo (Tuckahoe).
The Vikings managed to recover the ensuing onside kick but the drive was stopped with an interception by Adekonie Akingba (Sheepshead Bay).
Christopher rushed for 92 yards and passed for 131 yards to lead the Lions. Bill Shannon (Belle Glade, FL) contributed 70 yards on the ground.
Samuels rushed for 75 yards to go along with his 84-yard touchdown reception to lead the Vikings offense, which committed five turnovers in the game. Sophomore John Fuschino (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa High School) was Hudson Valley's leading tackler with 10 stops.
Hudson Valley, which falls to second place in the East Division, will travel to West Division leader Erie Community College on Saturday, October 1. Nassau will host Alfred State College at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
