LEICESTER, Mass. – Becker College defeated Anna Maria 17-14 in overtime in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference action Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. The win ends the Hawks season with a record of 1-9 (1-6 ECFC), while the AMCATS finished with a record of 0-10 (0-7 ECFC).
The Hawks got on the board with 1:34 remaining in the first quarter when Nasir Sinkfield-Shelton found Nick Saletnek (Bellingham, Mass.) down the far sideline for a 34 yard touchdown strike. The extra point attempt by Aryeh Moslavi (Fair Lawn, N.J.) gave Becker a 7-0 lead.
Anna Maria responded on their next possession when they went 68 yards on 15 plays, capped off by a one yard scamper by running back Chris Bettano (Tewksbury, Mass.). The AMCATS elected to go for the two-point conversion, but a Bettano rush was stuffed by the Hawks defense as Becker held on to a slim 7-6 advantage at halftime.
The AMCATS took the lead on their first possession of the third quarter when Greg McGoldrick (Brooklyn, N.Y.) connected Will Ricard (Billerica, Mass.) in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. The tandem of McGoldrick and Ricard reunited again on the two-point conversion attempt, putting Anna Maria in front 14-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, DeJahn Dawkins (East Hartford, Conn.) returned the kick 79 yards, setting the Hawks up at the Anna Maria two yard line. After the AMCAT defense stuffed Capri Corn (New Rochelle, N.Y.) on back to back rushing attempts, Coach Lichten called his senior's number again for the touchdown. Moslavi's extra point tied the game up at 14-14.
The two defenses took over in the final quarter of regulation. With AMCATS threatening early in the fourth quarter at the Hawks 23 yard line, Davin Collins (Far Rockaway, N.Y.) stepped in front of a McGoldrick pass for a crucial interception.
Becker had the first possession in overtime. Despite gaining just four yards, the Hawks opted to call on sophomore Jacob Holmes (Worcester, Mass.) for a 39 yard field goal attempt. The kick sailed through goal posts to give the Hawks a 17-14 lead.
The Becker defense stood their ground on the Anna Maria possession. Facing a fourth and nine from the Becker 24 yard line, Davin Collins broke up a pass from McGoldrick in the back of the end zone to preserve the 17-14 victory for the Hawks.
Matthew Romasco (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) paced the Hawks offense with 96 yards on 19 carries, while hauling in a one catch for 57 yards. Nasir Sinkfield-Shelton and Capri Corn combined for 87 yards on the ground.
Freshman Shane Padeni (Leicester, Mass.) led the Becker defense with nine tackles. Davin Collins had a career day with seven tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception and three pass break ups. Linebackers Josh Lawrence (Manhattan, N.Y.) and Stephane Bristol (Haverhill, Mass.) had seven tackles each, while Michael Calafiore (Franklin, N.J.) had six tackles and a forced fumble.
Chris Bettano led the AMCATS with 109 yards of total offense including 74 rushing on 20 carries. Greg McGoldrick threw for a game high 250 yards, while Ryan McCarthy (Deer Park, N.Y) had eight receptions for 97 yards. Will Ricard added five catches for 49 yards.
Victor Sambola (Worcester, Mass.) finished with a game high 14 tackles. Mike Sinto (Long Island, N.Y.) added seven tackles and a sack. Nick Cruz (Wakefield, R.I.) had six tackles including a game high two sacks and four tackles for a loss.