Results in NEWCRC Set Up Key Showdowns Next Weekend

Norwich and UMass-Lowell are 4-0 in the New England Wide Conference, while Vermont and Coast Guard rebounded from tough losses to go to 3-1.

For Norwich it wasn't easy. Boston University led 7-5 at halftime. But a try from Arthur Martinez kept them close in the first half and then second-half scores from Anthony Kowalski, Patrick Gest, Jacob Sherman, and Jack Tellifson saw them through on Senior Day.

William Thompson's try for BU, with the conversion from Carlos Lozano, staked the Terriers to that slim lead, and in fact in the second half Jay Tagliani's try, with another Lozano conversion, put BU up 14-10. But Guest's try with Leo Clayburgh's conversion put the Cadets ahead to stay. 

Coast Guard, surprised by Providence's 12-6 defeat a week before, took it out on Bentley 59-0. That sets up a nice showdown between CGA and Norwich next week.

Providence, meanwhile, was unable to build on that win from last week, making too many mistakes against Sacred Heart, who took their first victory of the conference season 33-22. It was a big win for a depth-challenged Sacred Heart team and a lesson for Providence on how nothing is for certain. Just because you beat the big dog last week doesn't mean the little mongrel won't bite you this week.

In Pool B UMass-Lowell has quietly moved on to 4-0 with a 34-19 defeat of New Hampshire. Lowell's season has been interesting in that they haven't really dominated anyone. Yes they shut out Bentley, but it was 25-0, which isn't a massive score. They beat BU by three points, and their October 9 win was a forfeit. This week against New Hampshire was much the same—a win, a good win, but they had to work for it.

"We're very happy to be 4-0 on a 34-19 win," said UML Head Coach Steve Diamantopolous. "We've been addressing poaching the ball after the tackle at practice extensively the past couple of weeks, and we were able to execute very well in this area. Our forwards are really excelleing here."

Penalties remain an issue, however, with too many high tackles and two penalty tries given up. 

"We need to work on dropping tackle height and keeping the game safe while staying aggressive," said Diamantopolous.

Vermont, stung by their loss to Norwich last week, came out and shut out Quinnipiac 46-0. While the Bobcats worked hard in defense and kept coming at UVM, Vermont did well despite being without three seniors who were injured. They moved some players around and got a good showing from a shuffled backline.

"It was satisfying to get all our replacements in to the game and see the level of play pretty much maintained," said Head Coach Charles Bates. 

So this sets up a huge game next week with UMass-Lowell at Vermont.