PSU comes up short

By rbrown
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Updated: October 6, 2018

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Junior defensive back Matt Shea (Windham) set a new career high with 10 solo tackles and matched a career best with 12 total stops, but Plymouth State University fell to Bridgewater State University, 19-13, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at Swenson Field on Friday night.

The Panthers took a 7-0 first quarter lead when senior Zack Edwards connected with junior Jacob Szulc (Concord) for a 27 yard score. Bridgewater found the end zone early in the second, but a missed PAT left PSU in front. Plymouth State added to its lead with a field goal from sophomore Jeremy Martin, but the Bears pulled in front with a TD in the final two minutes of the first half to take a 12-10 lead into the intermission.

Bridgewater extended the lead to 19-10 with a third-quarter touchdown, but Martin connected from 30 yards out to make it 19-13 with more than ten minutes remaining. PSU was unable to put together another scoring drive, however, as BSU held on for the win.

Plymouth State dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-3 in MASCAC play. All three of the Panthers’ losses have been by six points or less. Bridgewater State improved to 4-2 and 3-1 in league action.

“Unfortunately we came up short in another one score game,” head coach Paul Castonia said. “I give credit to Bridgewater. We have to learn to execute better on each possession and to eliminate our turnovers.”

Inside the Numbers

* Mitch Banuskevich picked up his first career interception with his leaping grab in the fourth quarter.

* Edwards finished 14-of-35 for 158 yards. BSU’s Stefano D’Emilia was 21-of-33 for 220 yards. Each quarterback had one touchdown toss.

* Junior David Hamilton (West Deptford, N.J.) led PSU on the ground with 64 yards on 14 carries. Santavicca posted a game-high 73 yards on the ground for the Bears.

* Senior Jack Lavanchy (Walpole, Mass.) had 12 catches for 128 yards, becoming Bridgewater’s all-time leader in receptions (178), while also moving into third place on BSU’s all-time receiving yardage list with 2,326 yards.

* Szulc led the Panthers with five catches for 79 yards, including his fourth touchdown reception of the season.

* Senior Brady LaFrance (West Paris, Maine) finished with eight tackles (seven solo) and a pair of pass breakups for the Panthers.

* Despite the setback, Plymouth State owns an 18-14-1 mark in the all-time series.