ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Flag Football team dropped a 45-0 match to Marymount University but recovered to defeated Centenary University by a final score of 54-25, in an Atlantic East Conference tri-match on Wednesday evening.
The Knights were stymied early in the battle with Marymount as they fell behind by 20 after one quarter of play. The Saints added 13 more for a 33-0 lead at the half. Neumann's defense settled down in the second half, but their offense couldn't solve Marymount's defense as the Saints scored six in the third and the fourth to seal the game.
Ava Valente was able to throw for 102 yards in the air and 77 on the ground as Neumann's top offensive threat.
Shannon Duffy was her main target, connecting on four passes for 37 yards.
Ya'Nayshia Thomas led the defense with three tackles and a sack while
Sam Knight intercepted a pass.
In the nightcap, Neumann got on the board first when
Tasia Gaskins returned a punt for a 40-yard touchdown. Later in the first, Valenta completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to
Kayla Maisch for a 13-0 lead before the Cyclones scored later in the quarter. Late in the second, Valente went for a 33-yard touchdown run and completed the extra point for 20-6 lead but again, Centenary struck later to pull within six at the half.
On the first drive of the third, Valente fired a pass to Duffy from 19 yards out for another score, making it a 27-13 game. Two plays later,
Marie Berry intercepted a Cyclone pass and returned it to the end zone to lead by 21. With 50 seconds left in the quarter, Centenary scored on a seven-yard pass and they trailed 34-19. With one quarter to go.
Less than two minutes into the fourth, the Knights had a bit of a role reversal as Maisch found Valente with a 31-yard touchdown pass. Two minutes after that, Berry pulled off another "pick-six" as she scampered for a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown. At the 3:59 mark Valente hit Gaskins with a 66-yard touchdown pass as the Knights went off to the victory.
Valente finished the game with a total of four touchdowns while gaining 251 total yards. Duffy snared three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Ariel Noble made 10 tackles and
Marie Berry intercepted three passes.
Neumann (5-3, 5-3 Atlantic East) will head to Scranton on Saturday for a tri-match hosted by Marywood University. They'll take on the hosts at 3:00 PM before battling Penn State Schuylkill at 4:30 PM.
