Springfield, MA --- WPI battled back from a 13-point halftime deficit, but Springfield held on for a 19-13 NEWMAC football victory Saturday afternoon at Stagg Field. The Engineers pulled within three points in the fourth quarter, but the Pride answered with a field goal and made a final defensive stop to secure the win.
WPI (4-2, 2-1 NEWMAC) opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal by
Nathan Napier (Natick, MA) with 7:30 remaining in the first quarter. Springfield (5-1, 3-0 NEWMAC) got on the board in the second quarter with a safety before taking the lead on a three-yard touchdown run by
Jayden Aziz (Washington, NJ). The Pride added to its advantage with a 36-yard touchdown pass from
Drew Heenan (Londonderry, NH) to
Bode Dunn (Stockton, NJ), taking a 16-3 lead into halftime.
WPI cut into the deficit with a 40-yard touchdown pass from
Dylan Dipietro (Oxford, MA) to
Garrett Ranieri (Templeton, MA) with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter. Napier added a 30-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, bringing the Engineers within 16-13.
Springfield responded with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard field goal by
Ian Wernik (Plymouth, MA) with 5:01 remaining. The Engineers had one final possession, but Springfield's defense forced a turnover on downs at the WPI 49 with 1:27 remaining to secure the 19-13 victory.
WPI finished with 263 yards of total offense, including 244 passing yards.
Dylan Gallo (Maynard, MA) completed 19 of 38 passes for 204 yards, while Dipietro completed his only pass attempt for the 40-yard touchdown. Ranieri led the Engineers with seven receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown, while
Jeff Quigley (Peabody, MA) added three catches for 102 yards. Springfield totaled 333 yards of offense, led by Heenan, who completed four of six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a team-high 93 yards. Dunn caught two passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively,
Jake Robertson (Grafton, MA) and
Grant Engelhardt (Chelmsford, MA) each recorded 10 tackles for WPI. The Engineers also collected an interception by
Zach Oliveira (Uxbridge, MA), while
Michael Doherty (Woburn, MA) recovered a fumble. Springfield was led by
Mike Mendicino (Pound Ridge, NY) with 10 tackles, while
Nick Peterson (Kingston, MA) added nine.
WPI returns to action next Saturday, October 24, with a 2pm matchup at Maritime. Springfield also heads to Long Island next week, traveling to Kings Point, NY, to take on Merchant Marine in a battle of NEWMAC unbeatens.
