Manchester, N.H. (September 27, 2003)- Stonehill College used three defensive scores in the fourth quarter to defeat Saint Anselm College by a score of 36-22 in a Northeast-10 Conference football game played in front of more than 2,100 fans at rainy Grappone Stadium Saturday.

The win was the first ever for Stonehill against Saint Anselm in five tries. The win improves the Chieftains to 1-3 overall, 1-1 in the Northeast-10. Saint Anselm remains winless at 0-4 both overall and in the league.   

Saint Anselm took its first lead of the game at 15-10 midway through the third quarter on an 18-yard scamper from Derek DiMartino (Amherst, N.H./ UMass Amherst) coming on fourth down, but the lead was short-lived as Stonehill scored the next 26 points, 19 of them coming in a span of 3:48.

Trailing for the first time all day, running back Bob Powell (Weymouth, Mass.) put the Chieftains back on top with a 35-yard run with 2:02 remaining in the third.

The Stonehill defense then took over as it harassed Saint Anselm signal caller Shane Dinagen (Harrisville, R.I./ Burrillville) into three turnovers, all of which went for touchdowns.Samir Chenaif (Framingham, Mass.) played a key role in two of the defensive scores, intercepting a pass and bringing it back 20 yards at the 14:50 mark of the fourth quarter, then sacking Dinagen and forcing a fumble that was returned 45 yards by Steve Sheeler (Gloversville, N.Y.).

andwiched in between those plays was a 55-yard fumble return for a TD by Dan Monaco (Rowley, Mass.) at the 13:14 mark of the deciding quarter.

DiMartino added a late touchdown to make the score 36-22 but it was too little too late as Stonehill celebrated its first win of the season.      

Powell finished the day with 19 carries for 87 yards and two scores (one pass, one run). For the Hawks DiMartino managed 106 yards on 29 carries and the two scores despite a lackluster day by the Hawks' offensive line, which allowed five sacks and nine tackles in its backfield.

Both defenses shined in the steady drizzle with Saint Anselm picking off four passes and Stonehill intercepting two of its own while benefiting from three Hawk fumbles.

Freshman Tony Pires (Taunton, Mass.) led the visitors with 10 tackles, including 2.5 sacks. In addition to his interception and forced fumble, Chenaif also recovered a fumble and had eight tackles, including 2.5 sacks. 

Sophomore Brian Sundell (N. Easton, Mass./ Oliver Ames) was again a bright spot on defense for Saint Anselm, with 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He has been responsible for five of the team's 13 defensive takeaways so far this season with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

Saint Anselm will return to action next Saturday when the Hawks travel to New Haven, Conn. to take on Southern Connecticut State at 1:00 PM.