New London, Conn. - Catholic football took an early 14-0 lead en route to a 24-17 victory in a NEWMAC road game on Saturday afternoon. Senior quarterback Nico Casares improved to 3-0 as a starter, completing 32-of-40 passes in the win. 

After forcing a Coast Guard punt on the first drive of the contest, Catholic responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive to take an early lead. Casares completed his first five passes of the game, putting the Cardinals inside the Coast Guard 30. Catholic converted on a fourth-and-six, setting up Casares to run it in from nine yards out for the opening score. 

The Catholic defense continued to hold steady throughout the first half before Catholic added a second touchdown with 2:31 remaining in the half. Catholic took over on its own 47, getting down to the 12 before Casares hit junior Jared Colletti for a 12-yard score. 

Coast Guard scored twice in the final 2:31 of the first half to tie things at 14-14. Spencer McMillion scored with 1:03 remaining. Catholic threw three straight incompletions, giving the ball back to the Bears with 35 seconds left. Joey Armentrout found Broock Desta for a 27-yard score right before half to tie the contest. 

Early in the third, sophomore Malachi Hansen returned a punt 30 yards and a personal foul added 15 more to start the Catholic possession at the CGA 21. The Bears defense held and forced a field goal from senior Fabrizio Reilly to put Catholic back on top. 

Catholic forced a punt and took a 10-point lead with 2:35 remaining in the third quarter. A 16-yard run from senior Kevin Licciardi set up Catholic inside the 15. Four plays later, he scored from three yards out to put the Cardinals up 24-14. 

Coast Guard answered back with a field goal on the first possession of the fourth quarter, but the Cardinals held steady and came away with a 24-17 victory on the road. 

Licciardi led the Catholic rushing attack with 83 yards and a score on the ground while Colletti had 61 total yards and a receiving score. Casares threw for 209 and a score while also adding a rushing touchdown. 

Seniors Kyle Egan and Jaegar Wesley each contributed a pair of sacks for the Catholic defense. 

Now 3-0 in NEWMAC play, Catholic will host Merchant Marine on Saturday for Cardinal Weekend.