BEVERLY, Mass. – Western New England University, ranked No. 1 in this week's Grinold Chapter New England Division III Football poll, edged Endicott by a 20-7 score in conference play on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Hempstead Stadium.
The opening half in today's game belonged to Endicott until the final 18-seconds of play when the Golden Bears shifted all momentum before the break with a blocked punt, and an eventual one-yard touchdown dash by Anthony Service (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) that evened the score at 7-7.
Before Western New England's momentum killing score, the Gulls' locked down the Golden Bears on offense limiting their unit to zero points, and just 80 yards over 28 plays.
In the second half, roles were reversed for both squads as Western New England's defense pitched a shutout to push its record to 7-0 overall (4-0 NEFC), and also improve to 19-2 in its last 21 games.
ENDICOTT OFFENSE/DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
- Jacob Simons (Barrington, R.I.) gave Endicott its 7-0 lead late in the second quarter (2:52) when he caught a jump pass from a scrambling Joe Kalosky (Plymouth, Conn.) in the back of the end zone.
- Simons finished the contest with two catches and 16 yards, while Kalosky threw for 179 yards on 14-for-34 passing (two interceptions, long – 46 yards).
- Chris Lipscomb (West Springfield, Mass.) led the Gulls' receiving corps with four catches for 62 yards.
- Brett Fox (Niantic, Conn.) was the difference for Endicott in the field position game as the junior punter notched a single-game career-high five punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Fox also compiled 353 yards on eight attempts (44.1 average, long – 50 yards).
- William Rivera (Orangeburg, N.Y.) registered a career-high 14 tackles (5 solo, nine assisted, 2.0 for a loss), and one quarterback hurry.
- Christian Martinez (Tariffville, Conn.) had a career-high 12 tackles (five solo, seven assisted, one sack, 3.5 for a loss), while Christian Filonow (Nashua, N.H.) pitched in with eight tackles and one pass breakup.
- Craig Anderson (Franklin, Mass.) recorded one sack (and four tackles) to inch one step closer to breaking Kevin Eagan's program record of 23.5 sacks set from 2008-11. Anderson currently has 20.5 career sacks on his football resume.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND OFFENSE/DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
- Service ended today's win with two touchdowns (one passing, one throwing), 23 rushing yards, and 95 passing yards on 14 completions (21 attempts).
- With 18 passing touchdowns this season, Service is now just one shy of matching Tyler Ward's single season program record of 19, which he set last fall.
- Nick Connell (East Marion, N.Y.) racked up 132 yards on the ground via 22 attempts, while Dante Aiken (Brooklyn, N.Y.) rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown, which came at the 5:51 mark of the fourth quarter.
- Mohamed Camara (New York, N.Y.) added the Golden Bears' second score of the afternoon with a three-yard TD catch at 2:25 of the third quarter to make it a 14-7 game at the time.
- The Golden Bears featured a balanced defense as eight student-athletes recorded five or more tackles.
- Kurtis Jolicoeur (Windham, N.H.) paced the defense with eight tackles (one solo, seven assisted, 0.5 sacks, 0.5 for a loss).
- Chris Quarles (Naugatuck, Conn.) also shined for Western New England as the sophomore recorded three tackles (two solo), two interceptions, and two pass breakups.
NOTES
- With the win, Western New England knocks Endicott from the ranks of the unbeaten in the NEFC. The Golden Bears and Salve Regina are the only two remaining undefeated teams in conference play at 4-0.
- Western New England's victory evened the all-time series with Endicott at 7-7 in 14 meetings. The Golden Bears have won three straight games against the Gulls dating back to 2014.
- The rainy conditions limited both offenses, as the Golden Bears outgained Endicott 291-211. Western New England's total of 291 yards represents its lowest this season and marks the first time the Golden Bears have failed to rack up over 400 yards of offense.
- Neither team had success on third down, as Western New England converted on just 3-of-13 (23%) attempts and Endicott went 4-for-17 (24%).
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (3-4, 3-1 NEFC) hosts Salve Regina University next Saturday on Senior Day at 12 p.m. Western New England (7-0, 4-0 NEFC) returns home next Saturday against Maine Maritime at 1 p.m. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.