Football Falls to Bridgewater, 37-26
November 15, 2008
WASHINGTON-- The CUA football squad suffered its second loss of
the season today, as Bridgewater entered Cardinal Stadium and
handed the Cardinals a 37-26 loss.
Keith Ricca (Poolesville, Md./St. John's Prospect Hall), who
passed the 11,000 yard mark early in today's contest, was 18 of 36
for 231 yards and three touchdowns. While Ricca spread the
ball around, hitting eight receivers, his longest pass of the day
came to Pete Mercantanti (Newtown, Pa./Pennington School) early in
the second quarter.
While the Eagles only sacked Ricca one time, the pressure
applied through their front seven and strong coverage downfield
gave Ricca a problem throughout the afternoon. The defensive
backfield of Bridgewater marked five pass breakups and had several
other plays that intense coverage forced a tough pass that was
unable to be reeled in.
Achille Kolla (Rockville, Md./Bethesda-Chevy Chase) marked the
only interception on the day for CUA. His 32 yard return in
the third quarter set up a touchdown for the Cardinals
only two plays later. Stevie Hendley (Annandale, Va./Bishop
O'Connell) capped the two play drive with a three yard run after
the Eagles were penalized for pass interference in the endzone.
In the fourth quarter the Cardinals found themselves down three
scores after Bridgewater converted a 28-yard field goal with 2:25
on the clock. On the ensueing drive Ricca orchestrated a
3-play 51-yard drive that consumed only thirty seconds and was
capped by Miles Sabrick's (Douglassville, Pa./Reading Central
Catholic) 27 yard reception in the corner of the end-zone.
With no timeouts remaining the Cardinals were forced to go for
an onside kick which was nearly successful but Bridgewater's Ryan
Richmond fell on the ball just as four Cardinals converged on him.
CUA will now have to await an at-large bid by the NCAA to enter
the Div. III national championship tournament.
Miles Sabrick's touchdown in the
4th quarter
Kevin and Keith Ricca,
CUA's top two quarterbacks after the game
Joe Mayer just before sacking
Bridgewater's QB
