VICENZA, Italy -- The Vicenza Cougars moved above .500 in the DODEA-Europe Division II football playoff race Saturday with a 44-14 defeat of the host SHAPE Spartans.

The win is the second straight for Vicenza, coming a week after an 18-6 defeat of Italian rival Naples. It also completes the Cougars' recovery from a rough start to the season, which included a non-conference loss to Naples and an 18-6 loss to Rota to open conference play Sept. 14.

SHAPE had a bye to open its divisional slate and is just two games into its season, the other being a 52-16 loss to Aviano on Sept. 21.

DODEA-Europe takes a league-wide hiatus next weekend before teams resume the chase for the postseason. SHAPE will visit Rota on Oct. 12, while Vicenza faces local rival Aviano.