MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – The Worcester State University Lancers fell to the Salve Regina Seahawks 41-28 on the road Saturday afternoon at Gaudet Field.
The Lancers picked up their momentum within the first minute of the game, as senior wide receiver, Terrence Gibson (Rockland, Mass.), put Worcester State up on the board 6-0 off a 97-yard kickoff return.
It wasn't until six minutes later that the Seahawks returned with a touchdown off a 49-yard run by James Dawson, and a good kick to take the lead 7-6. Worcester State was able to take the lead once again before the end of the quarter, as freshman Adrian Lingo (Sharon, Mass.) racked up a good field goal, making the score 9-7 Lancers.
In the second quarter, Gibson and senior quarterback, Trevor Vasey (Cumberland, R.I.), saw eye-to-eye and put up 12 points for the Lancers off two touchdowns. Despite the great offensive performance out of the Gibson-Vasey duo, Salve Regina was able to score two touchdowns on the Lancer's defense and completed a two-point conversion on one - leading to a tight 22-20 lead for Worcester State at the half.
The third and fourth quarters were a different story, as Salve Regina outnumbered Worcester State in touchdowns 3-1, with and ending result score of 28-41 Seahawks.
Vasey finished his first game as a Lancer 16-36 in completions, while totaling 315 yards on the day. Vasey recorded three touchdowns, while giving up two interceptions in the entirety of the game.
Senior running back, Kemani Jones (Milton, Mass.), led the Lancers in rushing yards with 61, while Gibson (3 TD) led Worcester State in receiving yards with 173.
On the defensive end for the Lancers, junior Shane Gleim (North Grosvenordale, Conn.) led the team in tackles with a total of 11 (five solo, six assists). Junior Matt Loureiro (West Boylston, Mass.) and sophomore Gaston Pastorino (Fitchburg, Mass.) each tacked on 10 total tackles. Gleim and Pastorino recorded the only sack for Worcester State, each starting the season out with 0.5.
Next week the Lancers will meet up with WPI on the Worcester State campus for their home opener, while looking to improve their record to 1-1 on the season. The game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11 under the lights with a 7 p.m. start time at John F. Coughlin Memorial Stadium.