CHESTER, Pa. – Caiden Leszyznski led a late fourth quarter comeback alongside
Tal Stoltzfus in the Pride's home opener against Alvernia.
The 14-10 win moves the Pride to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play
BY THE NUMBERS
- Corey Schock amassed 51 yards as quarterback with 8-of-19.
- Michael Turner led the Pride on the ground with 36 yards on nine carries.
- Khylil Jones hauled in two passes for 34 yards, including a 29-yard reception on the game-winning drive.
- Asa McMillan led the Pride defense with 11 tackles.
- Luke Shimko added eight tackles, a sack and an interception.
- The Pride defense recorded five sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a blocked punt.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Pride and Golden Wolves traded punts early before Widener broke through late in the first quarter. Luke Shaeffer blocked an Alvernia punt, allowing Harrison Stewart-Smith to scoop up and score a 30-yards touchdown. Fred Adler added the extra point to give Widener a 7-0 lead with 5:22 remaining in the opening quarter.
- Widener's defense continued to make plays throughout the first half, with Luke Shimko intercepting Sawyer Esbenshade in the end zone with 0:24 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Pride carried the 7-0 advantage into halftime as neither team could find the end zone again in the opening half.
- Alvernia would tie the game midway through the third quarter as Adonis Dixon broke free for a 17-yard touchdown run, capping a 76-yard drive with 2:12 remaining in the period. The Golden Wolves then took their first lead of the afternoon early in the fourth when Kevin Carotenuto connected on a 34-yard field goal to make it 10-7.
- The Pride defense responded with a huge play of its own as Stewart-Smith recovered an Alvernia fumble at the ALV22 with 10:10 remaining.
- After Fred Adler missed a 35-yard field goal with 4:45 remaining, the Widener defense once again came through, forcing a three-and-out and giving the Pride the ball at its own 40-yard line with 2:26 left. Leszczynski connected with Turner for two yards and Jaelen Richardson for five before finding Jones for 29 yards to move the Pride to the ALV4.
- Leszczynski finished the drive himself, rushing four yards for the touchdown with 0:58 seconds remaining. Adler's extra point gave Widener a 14-10 lead, and the Pride defense held firm on Alvernia's final possession as the Golden Wolves reached the WID13 before an incomplete pass ended the game.
UP NEXT
Widener hits the road next Saturday, September 19, when the Pride travel to Madison, N.J., to take on FDU-Florham. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
