Worcester State Shows Fight in Road Test Against Golden Bears

Worcester, MA- After a heartbreaking start to the season last Saturday in conference play, the Worcester State Football team is back in action in a non-conference meeting with the Golden Bears of Western New England. 

Final

Worcester State: 13

Western New England: 48

How it Happened:

The Lancers opened the game on the defensive, holding the Golden Bears to just a field goal in the first quarter despite being backed up in their own end. Worcester's defense stood tall on multiple third downs, forcing Western New England to settle for three points and keeping the game tight at 3–0 after one.

Western New England struck quickly in the second quarter with a touchdown, but Worcester responded with its best drive of the half. Junior wide receiver Lance Williams (Westerly, RI) lined up in the wildcat formation and took the direct snap in for a rushing touchdown, capping a hard-fought possession that pulled the Lancers within a score.

The Golden Bears added 10 unanswered points before halftime, but Worcester's defense continued to make timely plays, highlighted by stops from junior Jio Roman (Leominster, MA) and senior Nathan Winco (Sturbridge, MA) to limit the damage.

The third quarter was a defensive grind, with Worcester holding Western New England off the board for much of the frame. The Lancers nearly swung momentum midway through the quarter, forcing a punt and moving the ball into Golden Bear territory, but couldn't quite convert the chance.

Late in the fourth, Worcester struck again. Junior quarterback MJ Bakaysa (Plainville, CT) found junior wide receiver James Azzinaro (Ashaway, RI) on a perfectly placed deep ball for a 35-yard touchdown, cutting into the deficit and giving the Lancers a strong finish to the day.

What's Next:

The Lancers (0-2, 0-1) are back in conference play next Saturday when they journey to Westfield State to take on the Owls.