Final Score: Westfield State 14 Ð Mass Maritime Academy 0
BUZZARDS BAY Ð Senior
fullback Mark Puchaslki (South Deerfield) rushed for 96 yards and two
touchdowns on 36 carries, including the game-winning score with 9:06 left in
the fourth quarter, to lead Westfield State to a 14-0 New England Football
Conference victory over Mass Maritime Academy Oct. 9.
The Owls improved to
3-2 overall heading into next SaturdayÕs big homecoming game vs. Bridgewater
State. Mass Maritime remains winless at 0-5.
WestifeldÕs
game-winning drive began at the Mass Maritime 18 yard line when Owl defensive
back Ryan Riley intercepted a pass at the 50 and returned it 32 yards.
A pass interference
against the Bucs placed the ball at the 4, and two plays later Puchalski scored
from three yards out. The pass
attempt failed for the two-point conversion to give the Owls a 6-0 lead with
9:01 remaining.
Westfield increased
the lead to 8-0 when defensive lineman Josh Saunders tackled Mass Maritime
quarterback Mike Blomberg in the end zone for a safety with 2:56 remaining.
Following a short
Mass Maritime kickoff, Westfield put together a 4-play, 37-yard scoring drive,
with Puchalski scoring from four yards out with 1:31 remaining.
Both teams put up
strong goal line stands during the rain-drenched game. Mass Maritime actually
took the opening kickoff and had a first-and-goal at the Westfield 1 but failed
to score.
The Owls had 125 net
yards rushing while limiting Mass Maritime to 94. Westfield completed 9 of 19
passes for 119 yards while holding the Bucs to 74 passing yards (6 of 32
attempts).
Westfield forced four
turnovers, including three interceptions. The OwlsÕ offense only had one
turnover.
Defensively, Riley
had two interceptions and three tackles. Linebacker Jim Fennelly had six
tackes, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Tom Stralker led the
Buccaneers with 88 rushing yards on 24 carries.