Final Score: Westfield State 14 Ð Western New England 13
WESTFIELD Ð Senior
quarterback Mike Lorenzo (Quincy) rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries and
completed 14 of 25 passes for 138 yards, including the game-winning 7-yard
touchdown to senior receiver Tim Tontonoz (Chicopee) with 1:49 remaining, to
lead Westfield State to a thrilling 14-13 victory over Western New England
College in the New England Football Conference opener.
The Owls regained the
coveted PresidentÕs Trophy over their local rivals from Springfield in front of
an overflow crown of more than 2,500.
Two big turnovers
late in the game both stunned and ignited the large crowd. Western New England
junior strong safety Alex Barwikowski (Berlin, CT) snapped a 7-7 tie with 6:49
remaining in the game when he scooped a fumble and outran Lorenzano down the
right sideline for a 94-yard touchdown on the fumble return. The all-important
extra point attempt failed, however.
The Owl got their
only turnover of the game when senior linebacker Jim Fennelly (Wilmington)
recovered a fumble by WNEC quarterback Pat Murphy (Kensington, NH) at the WNEC
27 with 4:29 remaining.
Five plays later,
Lorenzo threw the game-winning score to Tontonoz, who dove into the end zone
for the extra effort TD. Senior Rory McKeon (Northbridge) split the uprights on
the extra point attempt.
WNEC failed to make a
first down on its final possession as senior linebacker Ryan Togneri (Turners
Falls) tackled Murphy on an end around on 4 and 1.
Westfield opened the
scoring with 3:24 left in the first half when senior running back Mark
Puchalski (South Deerfield) capped a nine-play, 73-yard drive with a two-yard
TD plunge. The 6-2, 225-pound Puchalski rushed for 62 yards on 23 carries and
had four receptions for 31 yards.
WNECÕs first score
also was set up by a Westfield turnover. Junior Dan Ballatine (Staten Island,
NY) returned an interception 24 yards to the Westfield 8. Three plays later,
Justin White (Essex Junction, VT) scored on a 1-yard run with 9:27 remaining in
the third quarter.
The Owls had 19 first
downs to WNECÕs seven, but Westfield committed four turnovers. Westfield held
WNEC to 65 net yards rushing on 33 attempts and the Golden Bears only completed
9 of 29 passes for 97 yards.
Senior linebacker
Rick Colburn (East Bridgewater) played a fine game for the Owls with nine
tackles, including three for losses and a sack, a pass breakup, and a forced
fumble that led to the game-winning score.