LVC Defense Stops Moravian In 21-6 Win; Ryan Sets NCAA Kicking Mark

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Lebanon Valley held Moravian to 176 yards of offense and racked up nine sacks as the Dutchmen picked up their first win of the season, 21-6, Saturday at Arnold Field.

The LVC defense was absolutely dominant, getting pressure in the backfield all day as they were led by Zach Bleiler's four sacks (which tied the school single-game record) and Cory Homer's 10 tackles. Dane Eichelberger picked off a pair of passes, as well.

Senior kicker Brittany Ryan booted three extra points to become the NCAA's all-time points leader among female kickers as she scored her 88th career point on her first PAT kick in the first quarter. She broke the record of West Alabama's Tonya Butler, who had 87 points in her career.

"It was a hard-fought win for our football team," said Head Coach Jim Monos. "It was a team win... the defense played super all game."

Everything click in week three as the Dutchman passing game awakened for the first time, with Caleb Fick going 12-for-22 for 159 yards and a touchdown after shaking off an early interception. LVC (1-2) ran for 142 yards on the ground, led by Ben Guiles (74 yards with a touchdown), Blair Ransom (58 yards), and Pete Panichi (11 yards).

"We got some guys in the flow - Picerno, Greene, Tobin, McIntyre, and our tight ends had three or four catches, so I'm pleased with that," Monos said.

Moravian (1-2) used three different quarterbacks, and starter Phil Gardner was sacked seven times as he threw for 188 yards and a touchdown with the two picks. Neither Max Coveleski or Brandon Lesko completed a pass, but both were put down once by the LVC defense.

LVC turned it over on their first drive when Fick was intercepted by David Wacker at midfield, but the defense forced a three-and-out before Chadd Comp blocked the punt to set up a quick touchdown on Guiles' 23-yard breakout up the sideline.

It remained 7-0 into the second quarter before the Dutchmen put together an epic 96-yard, 12-play drive that ended with Fick's nine-yard pass to Brendan Riley. Eichelberger's interception on the next drive gave LVC great field position for Panichi to score from five yards out just before the half.

That was all the scoring LVC needed as they ate away at the clock in the second half. Only Gardner's 53-yard stab to Alex Hersch spoiled a shutout, but the defense didn't even give Moravian the extra point as Bleiler blocked Ian Heck's try.

LVC will enjoy a bye next week before visiting #8 Delaware Valley to start MAC play on Oct. 2.

Game Notes
In addition to her record set this week, Ryan is now two PATs away from becoming LVC's all-time PAT leader ... Bleiler's four sacks ties the LVC single-game record set by Joe Gift and Kris Kohler, both in 1992 ... LVC had not had nine sacks in a game since hitting Widener 11 times in 1992 ... Moravian ended up with -12 yards rushing (79 gained, 91 lost) ... It was Eichelberger's second career multi-pick game. He also had two in his debut as a starter against Gettysburg in 2008 ... Time of possession was heavily lopsided towards Moravian (33:04 to 26:56) ... After a sloppy first two games, LVC was penalized just four times for 20 yards. Moravian was flagged only once ... Sean Fakete attempted his first career field goal at the end of the first half from 42 yards and just missed wide left despite putting plenty of boot on it ... In his second week of filling in at punter, Kevin greene booted six punts for a 36.5-yard average. He also caught three passes for 42 yards ... Fick hit eight different receivers ... Alex Gilchrist had another big game with two sacks, six tackles, and a pass break-up ... Comp's punt block was the second by LVC in three games ... The Dutchmen have also blocked two kicks this season.