Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Football team (0-1,0-0) kicks off MASCAC action this afternoon as they host Plymouth State in the conference opener. This is the season opener for the Panthers while the Lancers come in with one seasoned game under their belt, after taking a tight loss to WPI 14-9 last Friday to open up their season. Worcester will look to continue their defensive strength this week and open the conference play with a defining presence.
Final
Worcester State: 27
Plymouth State: 21
How it Happened:
The first quarter was an exciting one as the teams went back and fourth down the turf. Both teams opened with quick outs but that would be a rarity on the day. Junior Cam Ayotte (Millbury, MA) would open the scoring for the Lancers as his QB rush would find the end zone after a successful drive down the field. First year Manuel Freitas' (Dartmouth, MA) extra point attempt would sail through the uprights to find Worcester ahead 7-0. Worcester would quickly come back down the field as Ayotte's 24 yard pass completion to sophomore Lance Williams (Westerly, RI) at 2:06 left in the first quarter would extend the lead. Freitas was again called upon for the kick attempt which was good once again to put the score at 14-0.
The second quarter started out back and forth down the field again, however Plymouth was the first to capitalize in the blistering heat of the turf. Senior Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, MA) would find the gap in the Lancers defense, rushing for two yards halfway through the quarter to find the end zone and senior Seth DiSalvo's (North Andover, MA) kick was good, bringing the score 14-7. Senior Nico Holmes (Mansfield, MA) helped the Lancers out big from the backfield to provide some breathing room in the score as he would charge seven yards into the end zone with another Freitas successful extra point attempt. Plymouth was able to capitalize once more in the second from first year Matt Phillips' (Clinton, MA) pass completed by sophomore Jacob Morris (Kennebunk, ME) for 7 yards and into the end zone. DiSavlo added the extra point for the Panthers with his field goal putting the score at 21-14 into the halftime break.
Going into the third quarter 21-14, junior Gregory Walker (Boxford, MA) of Plymouth would tie up the score with his rush for 8 yards to partner with another DiSalvo's extra point attempt. Disalvo's foot got cold as he would miss the field goal on the next drive wide left leaving an opening for Worcester.
The fourth was the deciding quarter of action with both teams vying for the lead. Numerous blocked attempts on both sides of the ball saw the score settled at 21-21 until Ayotte took charge, throwing the pigskin with defining meaning. Multiple passes were completed to move up the field thanks to senior Drew Von Klock (Walpole, MA) and senior Dylan Hall (Plainville, CT). Junior Sy'Air James (Stratford, Ct) rushed into the Panthers endzone and secured the lead and the game and ultimately the game at 27-21 as the extra point attempt was blocked by the Panthers line. A strong Lancer defensive showing on the Panthers next drive would secure the win for Worcester as they took a knee in their next three possessions for their opening conference victory and first career win for Head Coach Zach Besaw.
Hall would end the game with 85 yards on three catches alongside von Klock with 73 yards on seven catches. Holmes would dominate the ground game with 121 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. Defensively the Lancers were on point as junior Harley Philippe (Lowell, MA) would end the day with a sack for an eight yard loss alongside senior Ebenezer Ankomah Gyau (Worcester, MA) who claimed a sack of his own for a seven yard loss. Junior Aaron Becker (Natick, MA) would have a pivotal block on the Panther field goal attempt to help secure the victory.
What's Next:
The Lancers (1-1, 1-0) return to action next Saturday for their first road trip of the season as they head to Fitchburg State for their first road trip of the season. Game time is set for 12pm.