Bears Take the Win in Homecoming Game
By Chris Spratt
Staff Writer
At Bridgewater State University, the second Saturday in October is specialThe stands are packed with cheering and supportive students as well as families. Bears from the past and present all gathered to see the homecoming football game as your Bridgewater State took on the UMASS Dartmouth Corsairs.
Bridgewater State sparked a good note for the game by initially receiving the ball. Both teams starting drive ended with no points scored as Bridgewater fumbled the ball and UMASS was forced to punt. On the Bears next possession, they were the first to score as quarterback Stefano D’Emilia had a ten yard rushing touchdown to put the Bears on the board.
The lead did not last for long, on the ensuing possession UMASS Dartmouth put themselves on the board to tie the game up. Once again, the Bears next possession with 13:33 left in the second quarter quarterback Brad Thiltgen rushed for eight yards to put the Bears ahead 14-7 and then increasing that lead to 20-7 after a 6 yard touchdown run from running back Aidan Silva.
UMASS then proceeded to score to make it a one score game at 20-14, this lead was brief as back Nick Santavicca quickly had a two yard rushing touchdown to make the score 27-14.
Dartmouth once again came charging back after 59 yard touchdown pass to Leroy Brown to make it a one score game again.
The Bears had a chance to increase the score going into to halftime, but an interception thrown by D’Emilia at the goal line prevented this from occuring.
UMass Dartmouth received to start the second half and the first two opening drives of the second half for each team resulted in punts. Dartmouth’s third possession of the half resulted in a 57 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Leroy Brown giving UMASS Dartmouth the lead and their first one of the game, with the score being 28-27. However, the Bears proved to be resilient, on the next possession Aidan Silva scored his rushing touchdown of the day to put the Bears back in the lead at 34-28.
The Bears forced a punt and then scored again on 6 yard rushing touchdown by Nick Santavicca, his second of the day and giving Bridgewater a lead of 41-28.
Bridgewater later extended the score with a field goal by kicker Jacob Crear for a 44-28 lead. With little time remaining on the clock, Dartmouth tried find something going to score but a pass by Stephen Gacioch was intercepted by free safety Stephen Puzzo, with a little over a minute left in the game. The Offense proceeded to kneel the ball and get the victory thus improving to 5-2 on the season and 4-1 in the MASCAC.
Bridgewater racked up a season high in total offensive yards with 543, with 356 yards coming in the passing game, which broke the school single game record of 326 set in 2014. The Bears continue their season on October 20th as they go and face Western Connecticut State University.
Chris Spratt is a Staff Writer for The Comment.
