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BROOKVILE, NY -- RICK HAERING broke off a 38-yard touchdown run with 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter to lift C.W. Post (4-1) past Monmouth University (1-4), 27-22, before a crowd of 896 at Hickox Field.
Haering’s run, his second of the day came, just two minutes after Monmouth had rallied to take a 22-21 advantage. The Pioneers began the pivitol series at their own 30 yard line with 3:17 left and quickly moved into Hawks’ territory as PATRICK ROCK hooked up with JIM KENNEDY and a defensive holding penalty helped put the ball on the MU 40. After a Rock rush and short pass to KYLE ALLEN made it third-and-1, Haering bounced over the right-side and roared past would-be tacklers for the winning score.
Haering rushed for 198 yards on 25 carries and also had a 74-yard run, the longest against the Hawks this season, helping the Pioneers to an early 14-0 lead.
Monmouth turned the momentum and the score in their favor following a 46-yard drive set up by ANTHONY GALELLA’s (Paramus, NJ) 49-yard kickoff return. Quarterback JOHN DIPASQAULE (Kearny, NJ), who had his best game as a starter, connected with DAVE MONRO (Matawan, NJ) and Galella to set up CHRIS REED’s (Glassboro, NJ) 2-yard plunge, pulling MU to within 21-20. The Hawks took the lead when DiPasquale found Galella in the back corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion.
The touchdown was Reed’s 10th of the season, setting a new Monmouth single-season record. He broke the mark of nine set by Ralph O’Neil in 1996.
DiPaquale finished 26-of-33 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. He also tossed a 12-yard strike to Galella just before halftime time to get the Hawks within 14-7 just before intermission. Galella, one of Division I-AA leaders in receptions and yardage, hauled in nine catches for 128 yards. Monro caught six passes -- one more than he had all season prior today’s game -- for 72 yards.
C.W. Post took a two-touchdown advantage in the first quarter as they turned fumbles by Reed and MIKE TROMBETTA (Berkley Heights, NJ) into points. Rock scored on a 9-yard run and Haering ripped off a 74-yard score with 2:36 left in the first period. DiPasquale and Galella hooked up four times on a 72-yard drive as Monmouth made the score 14-7 at the half.
The Hawks tied the game early in the fourth as DiPasquale found Monro off a perfect play-action pass to make the score 14-14. That came after JASON ROACH (Toms River, NJ) had blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt by TONY BALCAN. C.W. Post then regained the lead at 21-14 when Rock found JOHN CARNEGLIA on a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Monmouth out-gained the Pioneers, 402-371
despite a 262-121 rushing advantage for C.W. Post.