Fine all-around effort leads Western New England College past Westfield State in President's Trophy game

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Thanks to a strong all-around performance from its defensive and offensive units, the Western New England College football team is off to a solid start.

Sophomore running back Jordan Capitanio (Torrington, CT) rushed for 156 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Golden Bears opened their season with a convincing 31-3 victory over visiting Westfield State College in the annual President’s Trophy contest before 2,613 fans Saturday (Sept. 9) at Golden Bear Stadium.

Western New England College avenged a 14-13 loss with less than two minutes left to the Owls last year after winning the President’s Trophy in 2004 (26-21).

Senior quarterback Jon Tallerico (Port Chester, NY) completed 13-of-21 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown while junior wide receiver Kevin Miculcy (Greenwich, CT) had a big afternoon with eight receptions for 114 yards and another touchdown.

WNEC, which cranked out 362 yards, scored on its opening drive by marching 77 yards in 13 plays capped by Capitanio’s five-yard run with 8:52 left in the quarter.

Westfield State pulled within 7-3 following a 21-yard field goal by senior Rory McKeon (Northbridge, MA) at the 10:03 mark of the second stanza. Sophomore James Farrell (East Longmeadow, MA) answered with a 27-yard field goal less than three minutes later and the Golden Bears took a 17-7 lead at half-time when Miculcy hauled in a 12-yard pass from junior back-up quarterback Pat Murphy (Kensington, NH) with 1:59 left before the break.

Western New England College added a pair of scores on a six-yard pass from Tallerico to senior wide receiver Justin Varga (Colonia, NJ) with 8:50 remaining in the third quarter and on a 69-yard run by Capitanio at the 13:57 mark of the fourth period.

“This was a great way to start the season,” said Capitanio who was the 2005 ECAC Division III Northeast Rookie-of-the-Year. “It was a good win and gives us confidence heading into next week’s game against Maine Maritime.”

The Western New England College defense did its job as well limiting the Owls to only 147 yards (including 19 on the ground) while recording two interceptions along with nine sacks.

“Not giving up a touchdown was an important start for our defense,” noted senior linebacker Matt Guaragna (Port Chester, NY) who compiled seven tackles with a sack and interception.

Senior strong safety Brent Dube (Lewiston, ME) had a team-high nine tackles (four solo) for the Golden Bears while senior free safety Jim Kantany (East Longmeadow, MA) chipped-in with seven stops and an interception. Junior nose guard Tyler Stewart (Cos Cob, CT) had three sacks.

Westfield State junior backup quarterback Brad Barnard (Scituate, MA) was 4-for-8 passing with 80 yards.

The Owls couldn’t convert a couple of scoring opportunities, including one in the third quarter when junior Billy Stewart (Chicopee, MA) dodged several players for a brilliant 55-yard punt return to the Golden Bears' nine-yard line. After a running play lost a yard, two sacks pushed the ball back to the WNEC 25 before senior corner back Jay Rooney (El Segundo, CA) had a pass break-up in the end zone on fourth down to thwart the drive.

Sophomore Dwayne Kirby (Springfield, MA) (a transfer from WNEC) returned six kickoffs for 144 yards for the visitors.