Worcester, MA- The Worcester State University Football Team wrapped up their 2022 season today traveling to Framingham to take on the Rams. The game, initially scheduled for Saturday afternoon, was moved to avoid the expected storm. The rain came a bit earlier than expected resulting in a soggy finish for the team in their Friday night showdown.
The Lancers were the first on the board halfway through the first quarter with a senior Amir Mells (Boston, MA) three-yard run that was the culmination of an 11-play series. A 29-yard field goal at the end of the first by sophomore Santiago Rodriguez-D'Atri (Leominster, MA) sent the Lancers into the 2nd quarter with a 9-0 lead. Framingham answered with two scoring plays of their own in the second quarter to send the game into the half with Worcester down by five.
Neither team was able gain any additional points through the third quarter but just seconds into the fourth, the Rams wrapped up a 15-play drive to jump ahead 21-9. The remainder of the quarter was a back-and-forth battle with Worcester working to get themselves into scoring position. After an early punt by senior Kyle Wall (Sterling, MA) returned possession to Framingham, a fumble forced by junior Joseph Plath (Mansfield, MA) and recovered by sophomore Taylor Chaves (Hudson, MA) on the Worcester 3-yard line provided the Lancers with another chance to close the game. Another 15-play drive, this time by Worcester, had the same result with junior Mike Loveless (Nashua, NH) running the ball from 15 yards out and a D'Atri extra point put Worcester back within five. With under 30 seconds remaining in the game Worcester's Wall attempted the onside kick but it was recovered by Framingham who maintained possession to close out the game and the victory.
Loveless completed 5-of-8 for the Lancers for 54 yards, while rushing for 28 yards on five carries with a touchdown. Mells rushed for 67 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown, while sophomore Nico Holmes (Mansfield, MA) rushed for 60 yards on 18 carries.
The Lancer defense was led by 12 tackles, seven solo from senior Noah Peterson (Millbury, MA) and sophomore Conor McTigue (Shrewsbury, MA).
The Lancers finished their season 1-9, 1-7 in conference play, averaging 21.1 points per game.