Senior captain Joe Kreinsen and head coach Steve Marino receive the Presidents Trophy from Westfield athletics director Richard Lenfest. (Photo by Nancy Bals)
WESTFIELD – Junior Michael Mercadante rushed for 140 yards on 34 carries, and the opportunistic Owls took advantage of six turnovers as Westfield State University stunned Western New England University, 33-7, on Friday night, Sept. 13.
With the shocking victory, Westfield earned its first President’s Trophy in four years over its Western Massachusetts rival. It was especially sweet for Westfield State’s 16 seniors who had never beaten Western New England.
Western New England had entered the game favored to capture its fourth consecutive President’s Trophy after losing a 49-40 shootout to Springfield College last week. Westfield, meanwhile, dropped a disappointing 28-27 decision to Nichols College in its season opener.
Nick Adams returns and interception 89 yards for the game’s first points, outracing Western New England quarterback John Krafick to the endzone. (Photo by Nancy Bals)
“Our defense played outstanding tonight,” said Steve Marino, who garnered one of the biggest victories in his 24 years as Westfield’s head coach. “Western New England has an offense that puts a lot of pressure on you and (Westfield defensive coach) Pete Kowalski had our defense ready. They have high powered offense but our defense kept making big plays.”
Five of Westfield’s scores were set up by Western New England turnovers. The game’s biggest turnover came early in the second quarter when Owl senior linebacker Nick Adams stepped in front of a pass in the flats and returned it 89 yards for a touchdown, outracing a WNE player the final 40 yards. The extra point attempt hit the upright and Westfield led 6-0 with 11:27 remaining in the first half.
Later in the first half, the Owls put together their longest drive (12 plays, 73 yards) resulting in a 33-yard field goal by sophomore Michael Orellana, a former soccer player.
The no-huddle WNE offense racked up 16 first downs and gained 207 yards on 52 plays in the first half alone but trailed 9-0.
“It was a great victory and a great team effort,” said Marino. “Our offense and defense both played well and we were able to move the ball much better in the second half.”
The Owls, who did not commit a turnover, ripped off 166 of their 231 rushing yards in the second half, led by Mercadante’s 97 yards on 24 carries. Westfield had the ball for an incredible 25 minutes in the second half. And the outstanding Owl defense kept setting up scores.
Westfield tallied 10 points late in the third quarter to take a 19-0 lead. Senior strong safety Gregg Jackson returned his second interception 15 yards to the WNE 34 midway thru the third stanza. Seven plays later, sophomore quarterback Erik Washburn scampered up the middle for an 11-yard touchdown.
On the ensuing possession, Owl junior linebacker Troy Cutter recovered a fumbled pitch at the WNE 12-yard line to set up a 27-yard field goal by Orellana.
Gregg Jackson (No. 2) intercepts a pass in the endzone to end the first half. (Photo by Nancy Bals)
Westfield increased its lead to 26-0 early in the fourth quarter following a brilliant interception by cornerback Breno Passanha, whose 30-yard return placed the ball at the WNE 15. Five plays later, Mercadante scored from two yards out.
The Owls’ final score was set up by another mishandled Golden Bear pitchout. Eleven running plays, including nine by Mercadante, resulted in Brian Beauchemi’s nine-yard touchdown with 4:47 remaining.
Western New England finally lit the scoreboard when Terrence N’Dabian returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown.
With the Owls dominating time of possession (nearly 39 minutes in the game), they limited the Golden Bears to only two first downs, 14 plays, and seven net yards in total offense the second half.
WNE quarterback John Krafick was 14 for 32 with four interceptions; he completed passes to nine different receivers for only 87 yards as the Westfield defensive backs stifled his long pass attempts.
Kevin Cook was the Golden Bears top offensive threat, rushing for 76 yards on 20 carries.
Washburn completed 8 of 18 passes for 90 yards, with Kevin Nicol (4-37) his primary target. The Owls ran the ball 56 times with backup tailback Beauchemin (10 carries, 44 yards) turning in a solid outing.
The Owls’ balanced defensive attack was led by free safety Greg Sheridan (9 tackles) lineman Jonathan Lytle (7 tackles). Jackson (6 tackles, 2 picks) and Pessanha (5 stackles, 1 pick, 2 pass breakups).
Dean Soucie (11 tackles) and Nathan Fleming (10 tackles) led WNE.
