Sea Gulls Storm Past Golden Bears 35-0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 24, 2022) – The Western New England football team fell on home turf on Saturday afternoon to the visiting Sea Gulls of Salisbury University, following a 35-0 defeat. The Sea Gulls would rush for 431 yards on the afternoon, while WNE came away with just 188 yards of total offense.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-3
• Salisbury University: 3-1

How it Happened:
The triple option from Salisbury would be all the Sea Gulls needed on Saturday afternoon, running the ball through the Western New England defense, gaining 431 yards of offense on the ground. The Golden Bears would come out strong on defense, however, slowing down the Sea Gulls offense early in the first quarter. Salisbury's Jaden Davis would collect the first six points of the game on a 14-yard run, which was then followed up by a successful kick to give the Sea Gulls a 7-0 lead. Salisbury chewed 7:11 of the clock, while making 16 plays for 81 yards on the drive to get the scoring started.

The Sea Gulls defense would prove to be too much for the Golden Bears offense in the first half, as Western New England couldn't swing any momentum together. Salisbury opened the second quarter with their second rushing touchdown of the afternoon when Joey Bildstein rushed for a 55-yard score to give the Sea Gulls a 14-0 lead. Western New England would attempt to get back in the game after the score by Salisbury, though an 11-play, 45-yard drive ended on an interception by Bryce Karstetter to give the Sea Gulls the ball back. On the next drive, which consisted of ten plays for 70 yards, the Sea Gulls would punch the ball into the endzone on a nine-yard run from Dario Belizaire to extend Salisbury's lead to 21-0, which was the score at the half.

WNE's offense would be quiet in the second half as well, maintaining little chance, while Salisbury continue to run the ball up the middle of the field. The Sea Gulls needed six plays and 38 yards in the third quarter to score another rushing touchdown when Bildstein ran in a 12-yard touchdown. Salisbury would add to their lead one final time in the late stages of the fourth quarter when Hunter Hruz punched in a one-yard score to give the Sea Gulls a 35-0 lead, a lead that stuck for the final 3:45 of the contest, sending Salisbury to a shutout victory over the Golden Bears.

Through the Uprights:

• Bryce Karstetter threw 17 completions on 31 attempts while throwing for two interceptions.
• WNE's lead rusher would be Jake Chiasson, who rushed once on a fake punt, which was successful for WNE for 28 yards.
• AJ Hall led all receivers with six catches for 52 yards. De'Andre Harris caught three passes for 34 yards for the Golden Bears.
• Salisbury saw Joey Bildstein collect 17 rushes for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Jaden Davis ran eight times and scored once.
• Jimmy Celentano collected nine total tackles to lead Salisbury while Caleb Brubaker collected five solo tackles and one assist. Salisbury sacked the WNE quarterback twice.
• Brandon Myers and Jake Chiasson collected four solo and seven assisted tackles each in the contest. Joe Shea collected eight assists and one solo tackle.
• Joe McNamara picked up the lone sack for the Golden Bears, a loss for seven yards.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE travels to Nichols College to open CCC play on Saturday, October 1 for a 1:00 pm kickoff.
• Salisbury heads home to open NJAC action against Montclair State on the same date.