BOURNE, Mass. – Behind a fourth quarter score, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy posted a 26-22 victory over UMass Dartmouth in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Saturday. The Buccaneers move to 3-0 overall and are now 2-0 in conference play, while the Corsairs slip to 1-3 and 1-2 in the MASCAC.
It was a 46-yard rush from Owen Lane that helped lift the home team to victory at 12:08 of the fourth quarter. Late in the game, the Corsairs worked to get back down the field, but three straight incomplete passes, coupled with an interception in the endzone gave MMA the victory.
UMass Dartmouth opened the game's scoring at 11:29 of the opening quarter as rookie rusher
Jayson Dyer carried it in eight yards. The Buccaneers answered to open the second quarter, but a massive 76-yard run from senior captain and running back
Mekhi Wilson tipped the score to 14-6 with 3:07 remaining.
Just before halftime, Mass. Maritime closed the gap as Brooks Moss ran it in from one yard out, sending the two teams into halftime with the Corsairs up, 14-13.
Out of the break, the home team capitalized on a 37-yard run from Santiago Martinez, but Wilson once again answered with a 16-yard rushing score, aided by a 2-point conversion catch from sophomore wide receiver
Jayden Francois for the 22-19 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Senior quarterback
JC Petrongolo went 18-for-38 with 229 yards, while Wilson notched his first 200+ yard game of the season with 211 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns. Dyer added four carries with 34 yards and a score, while in the air, Francois caught 10 passes for a career-high 142 yards.
Defensively, the Corsairs were paced by senior captain and defensive edge
Owen Dunker, who had 12 total tackles, including a game-high eight solo. Senior defensive back
Bryant Lopes, classmate and captain
Xavier Lopes and junior defensive back
Matteo Pina all had six tackles on the afternoon with Xavier adding a pass break-up.
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on Saturday, October 17 when it travels to Worcester State for a 2:30pm MASCAC game against the Lancers.
