As always the two teams managed to play tough with the game remaining 0-0 until just over two minutes left in the game. Freshman Keith Shrayer (Woodstock Valley, CT) took a pass from classmate Chris Mahoney (Plymouth, MA) and put it by the Clark keeper for the only goal and the game winning goal. Sophomore Ryan Fournier (Charlton City, MA) picked up his ninth win of the year while recording his third shutout.
The first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie with both teams exchanging punts. Western Connecticut did miss a 24-yard field goal near the end of the quarter, but each team had trouble moving the ball on the rain soaked turf.
WPI had the ball and was driving to begin the second quarter when Rich Boardman (Merrimack, NH) was intercepted at the 9-yard line. The two teams would exchange punts for the rest of the quarter and go into halftime tied 0-0.
Western had the ball to begin the second half, but quickly turned it over when John Benda (Dedham, MA) forced a fumble that was recovered by Adam Abrams (E. Bridgewater, MA) on the Colonials 37-yard line. WPI then handed the ball to tailback Nick Fluet (Leominster, MA), who carried the ball nine times for 28 yards on the drive, and with two penalties the ball was down to the four-yard line setting up a 21-yard field goal attempt by Adam Clark (Jefferson, MA). The kick was good and WPI led 3-0. Western then took the ball on their next drive and brought it all the way to the WPI 1-yard line where the Engineers defense would stuff them on three straight plays, the last being a fumble forced by linebacker Jon Pires (Stoughton, MA) to give the ball back to WPI. On the first play Fluet was tackled in the endzone for a safety to make the score 3-2. The third quarter ended with WPI leading 3-2.
The fourth quarter began with two punts for WPI and two more turnovers for the Colonials. The second Westen turnover gave the Engineers the ball at the Colonial 26-yard line. Fluet was the workhorse again carrying the ball seven straight times, the last being a 6-yard touchdown run, to give WPI a 9-2 lead. Clark would add the extra point and the score would be 10-2. Another turnover by Western and then a big defensive series for WPI gave WPI the ball back with 54 seconds. They would kill the remaining time for the win.
Benda, Fluet and classmate Steve Hitchcock (Manilus, NY) were all honored for their performances in the win. Fluet was co-offensive player of the week in the FFC and co-rookie of the week for the ECAC. Benda was FFC rookie of the week and earned weekly honor roll for the ECAC. Hitchcock, who punted six times on the day for an average of 39.5 yards with a long of 60, was named to the FFC weekly honor roll.
The top five runners for the men were: Liam Kelly (Shrewsbury, MA) in 31st; Don Wallace (Brunswick, ME) in 34th; Tyler Lupien (Waldoboro, ME) in 41st; Tim Caldwell (Dover-Foxcroft, ME) in 44th and Keith Levesque (Nashua, NH) in 45th.
The top five finishers for the women were: Sue Shorrock (N. Smithfield, RI) in 17th; Harmonie Hawley (Pine Beach, NJ) in 35th; Janel Lanphere (Westerly, RI) in 64th; Michelle Lutz (Albany, NY) in 74th and Melanie Heck (W. Buxton, ME) in 81st.
For the week Emma Palmacci (Walpole, MA) had 20 kills, 19 assists and 23 digs. Melinda Darway (Nipomo, CA) had 16 kills, 39 assists and 15 digs. Kristin Blitsch (Princeton, IL) had 20 kills and 20 digs. Amy Matter (Kettle Falls, WA) had 15 kills, 7 aces and 6 blocks.
This weekend the squad will play in the MAIAW Tournament.