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Brigade Losing Grip on Playoff Spot

June 20, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


Rochester, NY (AP)- The Rochester Brigade (5-7) drops their fourth consecutive game, falling victim to the Albany Conquest (10-1) with a score of 54-42 in front of 6,882 fans at the Blue Cross Arena. Although the Brigade currently maintains second place in the Northeast Division, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers could possibly move into a tie with Rochester if they tally a win on tomorrow's game. With ten victories the Conquest clinch the Northeast Division and will host the first round of the playoffs.

The Brigade took the early lead in the first quarter off of kicker Charles Eger's 27-yard field goal and a 24-yard touchdown completion to OS Martino Theus from QB Matt D'Orazio. The Conquest rebounded as QB Ryan Vena hooked up with OS Corey Hill from 10-yards out; nevertheless the Brigade responded as WR/DB Vonkeith Spencer returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown. The Brigade led 15 to 6 after the first quarter.

The beginning of the second was the last time the Brigade led, as game MVP Corey Hill took control and added two touchdowns in the second half from 6 and 23-yards. QB Ryan Vena was on the other end of the receptions, also hooking up with WR/DB John Stuart from 9-yards. The Brigade answered as D'Orazio connected with Theus for a 20-yard score, and with no time left on the clock Drennan added a 42-yard field goal to put Albany ahead 31-21.

On the night Venna completed 22 of 35 passes for 280 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed the ball five times for 19-yards and a score. His main target was Hill, who had a season high 16 catches for 226 yards and five touchdowns.

For the Conquest, Stuart earned game IRONMAN honors with three catches for 30-yards and one score. He also registered four tackles and two passes defended. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game went to FB/LB Matt Vittengl, who registered seven tackles (three solo), one tackle for a loss of yards and one pass defended.

The Brigade couldn't hold the Conquest in the second half, as Drennan started the third quarter with a 28-yard field goal. The Brigade answered as D'Orazio connected with Spencer for a 28-yard score, but Hill bulled his way in on a 46-yard touchdown catch to give the Conquest a 41-28 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

The two teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth as D'Orazio rushed one in from four yards out and later connected with WR/DB Aaron Fix from three yards. The Conquest answered as Vena rushed one in from four yards out and later connected with Hill for the final score of the game from 28-yards.

For the Brigade, D'Orazio completed 24 of 37 passes for 256 yards and four scores while rushing the ball six times for 45-yards and a score. Theus was his main target, catching twelve passes for 141-yards and two touchdowns to give him 130 receptions on the season. Defensively, the Brigade was led by Fix with six tackles (five solo), one forced fumble and one pass breakup.

Next week will be do or die for the Brigade, when they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (4-7) who are red hot after winning their last three games. Tomorrow the Pioneers will play the New Haven Ninjas, marking the fate for both the Brigade and their selves.

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