Eagles soar past Knights (Photos added)

Backed by a emotional team effort, the Sir James Dunn Eagles handed the St. Mary's Knights their first taste of defeat in three seasons.

The Eagles almost allowed a 14 point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter but a key block by Mike Beharriell on a convert attempt with 2:04 remaining allowed the Eagles to hold on for a 15-14 win on Saturday night at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The Saturday night contest was held as a makeup after being washed away by rain on Friday.

After Andrew Posteraro opened the scoring for the Knights with a single on the opening kickoff, the Eagles took control of the game on both sides of the ball although the Knights made key defensive plays when required.

Matt Irving, who also booted converts, sent the game into the half tied 1-1 with a single on a missed 29 yard field goal attempt.

In the second half, the Eagles jumped into the lead as Nigel Milne scored on a four yard run late in the third quarter before Peter McGonegal added a three yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter for a 15-1 lead.

But St. Mary's turned their offense into gear down the stretch. Mark DeVuono cut the lead to 15-8 with a 20 yard touchdown reception from quarterback Anthony Amadio.

Following a key defensive stand for the Knights, Justin Longo ran back a punt 41 yards to set up Dan Esson's two yard touchdown run on the next possession.

But Beharriell's block on the ensuing convert sealed the win for the Eagles.

The victory for the Eagles improves the club's undefeated record to 3-0-1 and a first place tie with the Korah Colts.

The Knights fall to 3-1 and suffer their first loss since the 2001 season, ending a streak of 21 consecutive victories.

Kofi Osei led the Eagles rushing attack with 113 yards on 19 carries, McGonegal added 66 yards on 16 attempts while Milne rushed 44 yards on 10 carries and caught a pass for 23 yards.

Lucas Walker paced the Eagles defense with 5.5 tackles while D.J. Idehen added five and Beharriel four. Matt Irving recorded an interception and recovered a fumble while Walker and Graham Weija each recovered a fumble.

Chris Lebel was the Knights top rusher with 45 yards on nine carries. Quarterback Anthony Amadio completed four of ten passes for 67 yards.

Defensively, Giancarlo Perra recorded 10 tackles for St. Mary's while Esson, Longo, Conan Sawko and Dan Perri added 4.5 each. Sawko also recovered a fumble.