Football Comes Up Short Against Worcester State

Plymouth’s losing streak reached four games over the weekend as the Panthers came up short against the Worcester State Lancers 13-10. What started out as a deadlocked affair between the two teams turned out to be in the Worcester’s favor as the Lancers were able to kick the winning field goal in the final 3 minutes of the game, securing only their second win of the season.

The first quarter ended with both teams going scoreless. The second quarter saw the teams trade field goals, making the lead 3-3 going into halftime. Worcester jumped out to a 10-3 lead after a blocked punt was returned for a score. The Panthers were quick to respond as sophomore running back Mitch Banuskevich (Milford, N.H.), ran it in from 36 yards out. That tie would not last as the Lancers were able to convert a field goal to give them the lead. The Panthers had a chance to send the game into overtime with a 39 yard field goal but missed wide right with 34 seconds left.

Banuskevich ended his day with 15 rushes for 98 yards and a TD, also caught 1 pass for 16 yards. Sophomore quarterback, Zack Edwards (Brookfield, Mass), finished his day going 10 for 26 with 80 yards. Freshman wideout, Jacob Szulc (Concord, N.H), added 6 catches for 45 yards.

Senior defensive back, Zach Ziemba (Manchester, N.H), led the Panther defense with 10 total tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. Junior defensive lineman Joe Esposito (Hackettstown, N.J) had 11 tackles with 1 sack while sophomore defensive lineman Cam McGhee (Winchester, Mass), had 2.5 sacks on the day. Freshman defensive back Prince Gbaley (Manchester, N.H) and senior defensive back RJ Ramsden (Florence, Mass), each had an interception a piece.

This was the Panther’s fourth straight loss, dropping their record to 4-4 (2-4 MASCAC). Their next game, Saturday, October 5th, comes against the Mass Maritime Buccaneers (4-4, 3-3 MASCAC) at Currier Field in Plymouth. Kickoff is at 1pm.