Lancers Drop Opener in Overtime Heartbreaker

Worcester, MA- One of the last teams to start their collegiate season, Worcester State Football travelled north to Plymouth State to take on the Panthers behind one of the youngest NCAA  Head Coach's Lazaro Mitjans Jr. in his head coaching debut. The Lancers took down the Panthers last year on home turf and aimed to carry that success into their season opener.

Final

Worcester State: 46

Plymouth State: 47

How it Happened:

In a season opener filled with offense and drama, the Worcester State football team went toe-to-toe with Plymouth State before falling in overtime, 47–46. The Lancers saw standout performances across the board, highlighted by senior quarterback Cam Ayotte (Millbury, MA) and junior wide receiver Lance Williams (Westerly, RI).

Worcester State capitalized early after a roughing the kicker penalty extended its first drive. Ayotte connected with Williams for a 14-yard gain and the duo followed it up with a 17-yard sweep. That set up senior Sy'Air James (Stratford, CT), who punched in the first touchdown of the season to put the Lancers on top.

On their next possession, Ayotte hit Williams for a 32-yard conversion on 3rd-and-4, setting up at the PSU 24. Early in the second quarter, he found sophomore Jack Poirier (Wellesley, MA) for a 22-yard touchdown — Poirier's first as a Lancer — giving Worcester a 14–7 lead.

The offense stayed hot on the third drive, with three third-down conversions, including a key 3rd-and-9 strike from Ayotte to Williams to the PSU 6. Williams capped it with a 6-yard rushing touchdown and hauled in the two-point conversion to make it 22–13. Plymouth scored before halftime, but Worcester carried a 22–20 advantage into the break.

The Panthers took the lead early in the third, but a muffed punt gave Worcester the ball at the PSU 43. Ayotte converted a 4th-and-3 with a 15-yard pass to junior Noah Jodoin (Agawam, MA), then hit Poirier for his second touchdown of the day to put the Lancers ahead 29–26. After another PSU score, Worcester trailed 32–29 entering the fourth.

Early in the final quarter, Ayotte found sophomore Michael Neider (Milford, CT) for 25 yards on 4th-and-9 to set up sophomore Louie Freitas (Dartmouth, MA), who drilled a 33-yard field goal to tie the game at 32. The defense responded with a sack from junior Jio Roman (Leominster, MA), and Worcester's offense marched again — highlighted by another Ayotte-to-Williams 25-yard connection. James finished the drive with a 2-yard score, making it 39–32. Plymouth answered with a late touchdown to force overtime.

In the extra frame, James powered Worcester with a 12-yard gain, and Ayotte delivered a touchdown strike to Williams to put the Lancers ahead 46–39. But the Panthers responded with a quick drive and converted the decisive two-point try to escape with the 47–46 win.

Ayotte finished 18-for-28, 243 yards, 3 TDs while Williams had 7 receptions, 102 yards, and a touchdown; also a rushing score and a two-point conversion.

What's Next:

The Blue and Gold (0-1, 0-1) remain on the road next week with a trip to Western New England for a 12pm kickoff.