Conquest Get Back on Winning Track
July 13, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
ALBANY, NY -- If one saw the first half; a half that saw the Albany Conquest muster up just seven points, the prediction would have been unanimous that Albany was bound for their third loss in a row. However; 30 minutes and 34 points later, Albany bounced back from a sluggish start to beat the New Haven Ninjas 41-33 at Pepsi Arena.
Clearly, the energy belonged to the visitors in the opening moments as New Haven offensive specialist Terrance Quattlebaum took the opening kickoff 41 yards to the Albany 9 yard line. Three plays later, kicker Dennis Wuestkamp bolted a 24-yard field goal to give the Ninjas an early 3-0 lead. After Albany receiver John Stuart fumbled, Wuestkamp connected again, this time from 39 yards away for a 6-0 lead.
Albany finally got on the scoreboard when quarterback Ryan Vena connected with Corey Hill for a 40-yard score for a 7-6 lead. However; New Haven answered right back when Chris Boden found receiver Kazmel Minott for a 20 yard score with nine minutes to go in the half. No team would score thereafter, as New Haven took a 12-7 lead at the break.
But as the second half began, it was quite evident that the hosts had surely charged their batteries to full power. Albany scored on their next three possessions, while shutting down the Ninjas offense defensively to open up a 27-12 advantage. The highlight during the key stretch was a blocked field goal by Albany's Matt Vittengl in the end zone. Vittengl recovered his own block seconds later to give Albany all the momentum, putting his team up 20-12.
From there, New Haven played catch up, but time became a factor in the end as an onside kick was recovered by the Conquest with 27 seconds left to play and Albany ran out the clock to pick up the win.
Vena and Hill took home co-most valuable player honors, while Vittengl garnered defensive player of the game accolades. Wide Receiver Jason Mattes was voted the game's Ironman.
Vena threw for 197 yards and 4 touchdowns while Hill caught 7 balls totaling 115 yards and 2 touchdowns. Mattes made the most of his minutes, catching 6 balls for 42 yards and 2 touchdowns while Mike Guazzo contributed 27 yards receiving as well.
For New Haven, the talented Quattlebaum was held in check all night, registering 11 catches for only 61 yards and no touchdowns. Boden threw for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns while Minott scored twice and racked up 50 yards.
With the win, Albany improves to 11-3, while New Haven drops to 4-10.
The Conquest hit the road to Pennsylvania on July 20 when they play at Wilkes Barre/Scranton before returning home for their regular season finale July 27, when the Mohegan Sun Wolves visit Pepsi Arena.
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