Dutchmen Build Halftime Lead, Fall Just Short in Home Opener Against Delaware Valley

 

 

Written by Braydin Adams 

Adams is a sports enthusiast & recent graduate of Northern Lebanon High School.

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Lebanon Valley College returned to Arnold Field on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from a season-opening 31-7 loss at Franklin & Marshall. The Dutchmen welcomed Delaware Valley for their first home game of the 2026 season, with both teams entering the afternoon at 0-1 and searching for their first victory.

The matchup also renewed a series that produced a memorable result for Lebanon Valley a year ago. The Dutchmen defeated Delaware Valley 21-18 in 2025, snapping a nine-game losing streak against the Aggies and earning their first victory in the series since 2013.

Delaware Valley moved the ball down the field on its opening possession, but Lebanon Valley’s special teams came up with the first big play of the afternoon by blocking a field goal attempt. That helped keep the game scoreless through the first quarter, although the Aggies ended the period threatening inside LVC territory.

The Dutchmen defense remained disciplined once play resumed. Delaware Valley was eventually forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal from Sebastian Swiatek, giving the Aggies a 3-0 lead with 12:13 remaining in the second quarter.

From there, momentum began to swing toward Lebanon Valley. Senior J.D. McCallion came away with an interception to put the Dutchmen in Delaware Valley territory. Senior quarterback Owen Strouse and the offense took advantage, with Strouse connecting with senior Makih Cooper for an 18-yard touchdown. Connor Hazel added the extra point to put LVC in front 7-3 with 5:56 remaining in the half.

Lebanon Valley’s special teams then delivered another big play when Montgomery Sensenig blocked a punt to give the Dutchmen possession deep in Delaware Valley territory. Hazel converted the opportunity with a 29-yard field goal, extending the advantage to 10-3 with 1:51 remaining before halftime.

The Dutchmen defense was not finished. Brandon Choi intercepted a Delaware Valley pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. Hazel’s extra point gave Lebanon Valley a 17-3 advantage with 1:42 remaining in the half.

Delaware Valley began working its way back into the game after halftime. Senior Justin Brown capped a 12-play, 65-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter, cutting Lebanon Valley’s lead to 17-9.

The Aggies soon received another opportunity when they recovered an LVC fumble in Dutchmen territory. Lebanon Valley’s defense again limited the damage and forced Delaware Valley to settle for another field goal.

Early in the fourth quarter, Swiatek converted from 22 yards out, trimming the Dutchmen’s advantage to 17-12 with 14:11 remaining.

Delaware Valley continued applying pressure and eventually drove deep into Lebanon Valley territory with a chance to take the lead. Multiple penalties and big defensive plays pushed the Aggies backward, but Delaware Valley still found an answer.

On fourth down, senior quarterback Mike Galasso connected with Sean Mackinder for a 16-yard touchdown with 4:48 remaining. The ensuing conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but Delaware Valley had taken an 18-17 lead.

Lebanon Valley had one final opportunity to answer and reclaim the lead, but the Dutchmen could not capitalize. Strouse threw an interception on LVC’s final possession, allowing Delaware Valley to finish off the comeback and escape Arnold Field with the one-point victory.

It was a difficult finish for a Lebanon Valley team that created opportunities in all three phases. The Dutchmen blocked both a field goal and a punt, forced turnovers and received a defensive touchdown from Choi while building a 17-3 halftime advantage. All 17 of LVC’s points came during the second quarter, while Delaware Valley scored 15 unanswered points after halftime.

Offensively, Strouse finished as Lebanon Valley’s leading passer with 41 yards while also leading the Dutchmen on the ground with 36 yards. Trey Freeman was LVC’s leading receiver with 19 yards. With the offense struggling to consistently move the ball, the contributions from the defense and special teams helped keep Lebanon Valley in position to win throughout the afternoon.

Lebanon Valley falls to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play with the loss, while Delaware Valley improves to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in conference action. The Dutchmen will look to turn the page next Saturday when they travel to Eastern University for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Delaware Valley 18, Lebanon Valley 17