Box Score Nov. 7, 2009
Final Stats
MILTON, Mass. -- Host Curry scored twice within
three minutes and 20 seconds in the third quarter to break the game
open and went on to defeat the University of Massachusetts
Dartmouth's football team, 28-12, in a New England Football
Conference Boyd Division game at Walter M. Katz Field Saturday
afternoon.
The Colonels, who led, 14-6 at halftime, took a 21-6 lead on a
seven-yard pass from Zach Cavanaugh to Jaime Santiago with 5:49
remaining in the third quarter. On the ensuing drive, the Corsairs
drove to the Curry 42, but Scott Doherty intercepted a pass by
freshman quarterback Brendan McNeish
(Springfield, Mass. /Bridgton Academy) and returned it 58 yards to
the UMD 12. Cavanaugh scored on the next play, and it was 28-6 with
2:29 to play.
Curry took the lead on their second possession of the game,
driving 46 yards on six plays to score on seven-yard run by Jamaal
Woods, Matt Alksninis' extra point made it 7-0.
Freshman wide receiver Joe Luiz (New Bedford,
Mass.) return the kickoff to the UMD 35-yard line, but fumbled and
the Colonels' Sean Spencer recovered. Two plays later, Woods faced
to the Corsair 16, but fumbled and UMD freshman defensive back Michael Dean
(Saugus, Mass.) recovered. Curry drove 50 yards on nine plays on
their next drive, with Cavanaugh connecting with Jeff Hibbard for
five yards and a touchdown with three seconds remaining in the
first quarter.
An interception by UMD sophomore defensive lineman Ben Mitsmenn (West
Greenwich, R.I.) in the second quarter set up the Corsairs' first
score. UMass Dartmouth drove 69 yards on six plays. McNeish
connected with Luiz for 25 yards and the score with 4:17 remaining
in the first half. The conversion attempt by freshman kicker Edgar Osols
(Summit, N.J.) was blocked.
The Corsairs scored their final touchdown in the fourth quarter,
taking over at their own 32 after Dean recovered a fumble by Curtis
Ushry. UMD drove 68 yards in eight plays, scoring on a 24-yard pass
from McNeish to senior wide receiver Marc Fiore (Wakefield,
Mass.) with 11:15 remaining.
"It was a very good game," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Mark
Robichaud. "Our team played well, and our defense played well. We
went in at halftime feeling that we were right in it, but a few
turnovers and bug plays really hurt us. On their interception in
the third quarter, their kid ran all over the field and made a
great return. We came right back and made a drive and scored. Marc Fiore made a
nice catch for the touchdown, and Joe Luiz had a nice
catch for the first touchdown."
Curry out gained the Corsairs, 540 yards to 122, but UMD forced
five turnovers and held the Colonels twice on fourth down.
Sophomore running back Josh Marsh (Brockton,
Mass./Iona) led UMD with 37 yards on nine carries, McNeish
completed 15 of 29 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns, and
Fiore caught six passes for 57 yards and a score. Woods rushed 21
times for 106 yards for Curry, Cavanaugh was 18 of 30 for 234 yards
and two touchdowns, and Jon Rodriguez caught six passes for 99
yards.
Defensively, senior linebacker John Kelly
(Shrewsbury, Mass.) had 12 tackles, including 10 solo stops, while
Dean made eight stops, including seven solos, and recovered three
fumbles. For the Colonels, Scott Driscoll made nine tackles,
including six solo stops, and added a forced fumble, broke up a
pass, and had one and a half sacks and two and a half tackles for
lost yardage.
"It was a great game to build on," said Robichaud. "Curry is a
very physical team and is the premier team in the conference, and
our kids did a great job. I'm proud of them, and I'm proud of our
11 seniors."
The Corsairs fell to 0-10 and 0-7 in the NEFC Boyd Division with
the defeat, while the Colonels improved to 8-2 and 7-0 with the
victory. Curry will host Maine Maritime in the NEFC Championship
game next Saturday, while the game marked the final action of the
season for UMass Dartmouth.
