WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester State University's junior kicker, Noah Hwang (Brooklyn, N.Y.) totaled nine points on a field goal and six PAT's to break the All-time school record for kicking points (114) in the Lancers' 45-40 homecoming win over the visiting Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS

October 21, 2017

Coughlin Field

Score: Worcester State 45, UMass Dartmouth 40

Records: Worcester State (4-3, 3-2 MASCAC) | UMass Dartmouth (2-5, 2-3 MASCAC)

1^ST QUARTER

UMass Dartmouth was the first to reach the scoreboard on their second drive of the game. On the 61-yard drive Stephen Gacioch (Tiverton, R.I.) pushed the Corsairs down the field, while Michael Slaughter Jr. (Springfield, Mass.) finished the drive with a 5-yard run for a touchdown. It wasn't until Worcester State's third drive that they were able to put a number on the scoreboard. Worcester State's junior quarterback, Noah Brum (Honolulu, H.I.) completed a 32-yard pass to Jacob Maher (Marshfield, Mass.) for the tally. With a good point after kick attempt from Hwang, the score was knotted at 7-7.

2^ND QUARTER

The Lancers took the first lead of the afternoon just 1:09 into the second quarter when Brum and Maher connected, once again, on a 17-yard throw for a touchdown. Hwang's second PAT of the day resulted in the record-breaking on the Worcester State All-Time kick scoring list. Hwang bested Tom Gabriel who tallied 106 kicking points during the 2004-06 seasons. It also put the Lancers ahead 14-7 on the day.

Worcester State added to their lead on the next drive when Brum completed a 42-yard throw to Kharif Pryor (Brooklyn, N.Y.) for a touchdown. UMass Dartmouth responded with a 28-yard pass from Gacioch to M. Slaughter to tighten the gap to eight (21-13). Worcester State, however, extend their lead to 11 as Hwang closed out the half with a 23-yard field goal.  

3^RD QUARTER

Succeeding a short drive from Worcester State to open the second half, UMass Dartmouth capitalized on a 8-play, 50-yard drive to cut the Corsairs' deficit to just four. Matt Mitchell (Stonington, Conn.) recorded a 1-yard rush and James Tooker (Harwich, Mass.) made the PAT for a 24-20 score. The Corsairs' next drive was ignited by a 77-yard punt return from Tony Slaughter (Springfield, Mass.). They then took back the lead on another 1-yard rush from Gacioch, putting UMass Dartmouth ahead 27-24 with a good kick.

On Worcester's subsequent drive, Dexter Andrews (Boston, Mass.) rushed for a touchdown with 4:06 remaining in the stanza to steal back the lead going into the 4^th quarter.

4^TH QUARTER

The teams battled once again in the 4^th as UMass Dartmouth took its third lead of the game on a 4-yard rushing touchdown from M. Slaughter (34-31). Worcester State stole back the lead and pushed ahead on the next two drives as they saw another rushing touchdown from Andrews, and a 19-yard receiving touchdown from Frank Catanoso (Marshfield, Mass.). UMass Dartmouth was able to get within a touchdown on the next drive as Gacioch tallied his second rushing touchdown of the day, but Worcester State was able to stop the visitors on their final drive to preserve the 45-40 homecoming win.

DOWN FOR A COUNT

• Brum piloted the Lancers' offense, throwing for a career-high 379 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
• On the other end of Brum was Maher who logged 10 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Pryor also averaged 18 yards per reception and recorded a touchdown in the win.
• Worcester State's rushing game was led by Andrews who registered 13 rushes for 43 yards and notched two touchdowns.
• Gacioch led the Corsairs', completing 21-of-35 passes for a total of 234 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. On the receiving end was Jeremy Jackson (Middletown, R.I.) who made nine catches for 86 yards.
• The Corsairs' rushing leaders were M. Slaughter and Gacioch who each had two rushing touchdowns apiece. M. Slaughter led with 28 runs for 136 yards.
• Worcester State's Hwang racked up nine points on one field goal and six extra point attempts.
• The Lancers' defense was led by Theo Bryant (Lowell, Mass.) who registered 15 tackles (8 solo) and a 17-yard interception return. Worcester State's Stephen Smialek (Dartmouth, Mass.) also recorded 15 tackles, while Mike Gomes (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and Mike Quinn (Sutton, Mass.) logged 12 and 10, respectively.
• The Corsairs' defense was led by Brandon Miller (Holden, Mass.) who totaled 16 tackles (8 solo) with 1.5 tackles for a loss of three yards. Jacob Burkhead (Plymouth, Mass.) was second on the squad with 13 tackles.
• Worcester State held a 475-456 edge in yards.
• The Lancers also held the advantage in passing yards (360), while the Corsairs marked a 209-96 gain in rushing yards.
• UMass Dartmouth lost 125 yards on 11 penalties, while Worcester State had four for 57 yards.

UP NEXT

Next Saturday (Oct. 28), the Lancers take on Mass. Maritime in the last home game of the season. The game is scheduled for a 12 noon kickoff. UMass Dartmouth returns home next Saturday when they host Framingham State, also in a 12 noon game.

NOTE*

Charter TV3 will televise this game later tonight (Oct. 21) @ 7:30PM PLUS again on Tuesday night at 7:00PM.

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