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Date: 11/6/2015
SPRINGFIELD – The undefeated Western New England University football team has moved up two spots to No. 19 in this week's edition of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Coaches’ Poll.
Western New England (8-0, 5-0 NEFC), which is also receiving votes in this week's D3Football.com Top 25, entered the AFCA Poll last week tied at No. 21 with St. Norbert (WI) College. The Golden Bears received 235 points in this week's poll, 41 fewer than St. Norbert, which moved up to No. 18.
Western New England also maintained its firm grip on the No. 1 spot in the New England Division III Poll, topping the rankings with 144 points and 11 of the 15 first place votes. Framingham State University (7-1, 6-0 MASCAC) checked in at No. 2, collecting 131 points and the four remaining first place tallies, while Amherst College (6-0, 6-0 NESCAC) and Trinity College (6-0, 6-0 NESCAC), who meet this Saturday in a showdown of NESCAC unbeatens, were ranked third and fourth, respectively.
The Golden Bears are coming off a 19-13 victory over rival Endicott College on Saturday afternoon in Springfield. Western New England overcame its first halftime deficit of the season behind a three-touchdown performance from graduate quarterback Tyler Ward, while junior running back Nick Connell turned in his third straight 100-yard performance on the ground and sophomore wide receiver Mark Dietrich caught six balls for 146 yards, 80 of which came on the go-ahead score early in the third quarter.
Sophomore Kevin McLaughlin led the Western New England defense with several big plays, registering nine tackles (6 solo, 2 for loss), an interception and a forced fumble. Senior captain Dean Soucie also recorded nine tackles, including a key stop on fourth down with under two minutes remaining that helped seal the contest.
The Golden Bears travel to New London, Conn. this Saturday for a New England Football Conference (NEFC) contest at Coast Guard (5-3, 4-1 NEFC). Opening kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Cadet Memorial Field.