PREVIEW: Assumption look to improve to 2-0 as they travel to Merrimack on Friday
 
North Andover, Mass. - The Greyhounds are fresh off of a season-opening victory vs. Kutztown University. They are looking to add to that with a strong performance vs. Division 1 Merrimack on the road. Assumption is riding high off of a stellar defensive performance vs. the Golden Bears on Saturday, September 3rd.
 
ASSUMPTION GREYHOUNDS (1-0, 0-0 NE10)
Roster | 2022 Schedule | 2022 Statistics | News
 
MERRIMACK WARRIORS (0-1, 0-0 NEC)
Roster | 2022 Schedule | 2022 Statistics | News
 
Assumption was on the wrong side of a three-game losing streak vs. the Kutztown Golden Bears before they defeated them at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium. Head Coach Andy McKenzie and company are looking to take that momentum into the weekend as they travel to Merrimack College to play a Division I NEC foe.
 
The history of these two teams goes back to September 24th, 1988, long before Merrimack moved into the Northeast Conference. The last matchup was in 2018, which saw the Greyhound dominate the day with a win of 49-19. The Greyhounds are currently on a five-game win streak against Merrimack, with the largest margin of victory being a 56-7 win for Assumption on September 9th, 2017.
 
In 2021, the Warriors of Merrimack College went 5-6 overall with a 2-5 performance in conference action. They surprisingly performed better on the road, going 4-3 away and only winning one game out of four in North Andover.
 
Fans attending the game at Merrimack must be aware of the policies of the Merrimack College campus. Tickets are on Sale on the Merrimack College Athletics Website, but you can purchase the Tickets Here. Live Stats and Live Video will also be available to those watching from another location.
 
 
Last Time Out vs. Kutztown

• In a slow burn defensive battle, the Greyhounds held on to a 3-0 lead for the better of three full quarters to walk away with a season-opening victory, 3-0
• Towards the end of the first quarter, Patrick May crushed a 36-yard field goal, and that was all the offense the Greyhounds needed to hang on
• On the day, Assumption tallied 208 yards of offense led by quarterback Jake Cady
• The senior had 138 yards through the air as well as leading the team in rushing yards with 32
• Vinnie DiCarlo already surpassed his total catch count from last year by hauling in four receptions for 56 yards, including a couple of crucial first downs.
• On the other side of the ball, the defense was anchored by senior captain Jael Feliz, who tallied 12 tackles and one sack
• Lorenzo Valencia received an NE10 Weekly Award for his efforts, getting a game-high two sacks and eight tackles.
• In the secondary, Isaiah Huff continued his strong run of form with three pass breakups and one of Assumptions three interceptions
• On the last drive of the game on 4th down, the Greyhounds got the Golden Bears to jump offside, securing an automatic first down and the ability to kneel and run out the clock

 
Merrimack Downed by Holy Cross in their Season Opener

• The Warriors opened their 2022 season at home vs. No. 16 Holy Cross, who defeated them, 31-17
• Quarterback Jack Dergiotis threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the loss
• The leading receiver for the Warriors was Jacari Carter, with 52 yards and a touchdown
• Jay Thompson, a sophomore, led the team in tackles with eight, and Garry Rosemond Jr. had an interception in the faceoff.
• Merrimack was down 19-10 after a back-and-forth first half. To open up the second half, the Crusaders of Holy Cross secured a safety and then eventually a field goal to go up by two touchdowns
• As the game was dying down and the Warriors were trying to crawl their way back in, they executed a 33-yard touchdown play, but it wasn't enough, and the Warriors eventually lost by 14

 
 
NE10 Preseason Poll

• The Greyhounds were predicted to come in second in the Northeast-10 Conference, according to the league's preseason coaches poll released on August 15th
• Assumption looks to improve off of their 2021 campaign, which saw them finish tenth with a 5-5 overall record and a 5-3 record in conference action
• New Haven was ranked first in the poll with 49 points
• Assumption was 12 points behind them and 4 points behind third, which was Bentley

 
A Look at the Matchups Ahead

• Before conference play begins, Assumption will travel to North Andover, Massachusetts, to take on Merrimack
• The Greyhounds begin NE10 competition on September 24^th, as they hit the road to take on Pace University before opening up October with an Oct. 1 matchup at Southern Connecticut State University.
•  On October 9^th, the Greyhounds will play at Polar Park against Franklin Pierce University, home of the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
• Another highlight on the schedule is the Homecoming Game on October 15th vs. Bentley University, with kickoff slated for 1:00 pm.
• Following their homecoming matchup against Bentley, Assumption will hit the road on October 22^nd, as they take on American International College at noon.
• Reigning champions No 24. The University of New Haven comes to Brian Kelly '83 Stadium on October 29th, rounding out the last home game of the year for the Greyhounds
• Assumption closes their season on the road vs. Post University

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