The Western New England Golden Bears scored late in the fourth quarter to take the lead, and Carson Markevich missed a game winning 49-yard field goal attempt for the Husson Eagles on the final play as WNEU escaped with a 10-9 Commonwealth Coast Conference football win at Golden Bear Stadium in Springfield, Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon.
Offense was tough to come by in a defensive battle. Western New England (4-3, 1-1 Commonwealth Coast Conference) had the only scoring of the first half on a first quarter 33-yard Andrew Havens field goal. Husson forced a turnover on downs late in the third, that led to the tying kick by Markevich early in the fourth. The 43-yard field goal by Markevich made it 3-3 with 11:28 to play. The ensuing drive by the Golden Bears into Eagles territory was haulted by a turnover. Dillon Kohl was hit by Adam Bertrand and fumbled, and Bertrand recovered as his own 36-yard line. It looked like Husson would have to punt it back facing 4th and 8 at the WNEU 39, but a fake and an 11-yard run by punter Logan Martin gave them a first down at the 28. Husson would then find the endzone helped by a 20-yard run by Elijah Garnett. Garnett would punch it in from the 2-yard line with 2:19 remaining. The extra point attempt though didn’t get in the air, as a high snap thwarted that as the Eagles led 9-3. Golden Bears quarterback Conrad Swanson made some big plays including 29 and 23 yard passes to Ryan Carlson and Tyler Borwhat respectively to help get his team into scoring position to re-take the lead. Swanson connected with De’Andre Harris for a 9-yard touchdown with 1:05 left, and along with the successful extra point it would make it 10-9 WNEU. The guests got into field goal position though to try to steal the win, as Nic Visser completed five passes to give Markevich a chance at the 32-yard line. The attempt however by Markevich after a high snap was short as time expired.
Visser went 20-34 passing for 179 yards in the loss. Garnett rushed for 70 yards on 22 carries with the lone Husson touchdown Ashton Navarrete and Ja’Quan Myles each had five catches on the day. Tucker Buzzell had 12 total tackles, and Bertrand had 10 to lead the defense. Tyrek Mann had a sack, and Bertrand also added a sack and a fumble recovery. Swanson and Tyler Millerick shared time at quarterback in the win for Western New England, with Swanson seeing most of the action going 7-13 for 106 yards and a touchdown. Kohl rushed 13 times for 50 yards, and Ryan Larson had four receptions. Husson is now 5-2 on the season, 1-1 in the CCC and returns home to host nationally ranked Endicott on Senior Day at the Winkin Complex in Bangor next Saturday at 12 p.m.
Recap by Chris Lessner
