Cuyler TD Clip

The two teams battled to a 0-0 halftime tie but were not without scoring opportunities. Westfield State missed 2 field goals in the first half and the Lancers missed one. The kicking game would become a major factor in the second half. Westfield state employed a ball control style throughout the game. The Owls held the ball for almost 19 minutes in the first half and came up with numerous 3rd down conversions.

Steve Kasprazak (Tewksbury) took the opening kickoff of the second half back to the Westfield 34 yard line and senior running back Greg Wood (Bellingham) burst for a 20 yards scoring run to open the scoring.

BJ Holleran (Quincy) took the ensuing kickoff 39 yards out to midfield where the Owls began their drive. Mixing the running of tailback Don Jones (Springfield) and quarterback Chris Lapointe's (Millers Falls) passing to end David Trueira (Wilmington) the Owls marched down the field, culminating in a Lapointe to Matt Yvon (East Longmeadow) 11-yard touchdown toss knotting the score at 7-7.

A Lancer interception on the following drive set up Westfield at midfield. Jones went for a 19 yard run and 5 plays later Lapointe found Trueira in the end zone to make the score, 14-7, Owls.

Still in the third quarter, the Lancers marched down the field with the drive featuring three straight Cean Oksanish completions to Lavon Cuyler (Pittsfield) totaling 49 yards. Oksanish capped off the drive finding Cuyler in the back of the end zone to bring the Lancers to within 1 but the kick failed setting the score at 14-13.

Westfield extended their lead to 21-13 after a turnover by Worcester State gave the Owls the ball at the Lancer 30. Lapointe found Yvon for a score on a fourth and goal completion.

Worcester State was not dissuaded as Mike Buoniconti (Longmeadow) returned a squib kick 26 yards all the way to the Westfield 44 yard line. After three Greg Wood rushes, Oksanish found Cuyler for his second touchdown of the game bringing the Lancers to within two. 7:57 remained and Worcester State attempted a two-point conversion but the pass attempt failed.

Westfield’s Don Jones was outstanding for the Owls as he totaled 169 yards on 36 carries.

Greg Wood was impressive as well gaining 110 yards on 27 carries.

Lancer quarterback Cean Oksanish broke two Worcester State career passing marks on the afternoon. The senior signal caller passed former Lancer Dan Hanson twice. Oksanish has now thrown for 6,558 yards breaking the old mark of 6,425. He also broke the career record for completions with 449 passing the previous total of 445.

The Lancers will return to action next Saturday when then travel to NEFC foe Framingham State. The Owls will be at Massachusetts Maritime for a 12:00 pm kickoff.