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Hannon’s field goal clinches Marist win
Updated: September 17, 2011 12:59AM
Cillian Hannon connected on a 21-yard field goal on the final play of the game to lift Marist to a 17-14 win over Benet at Benedictine University.
“We challenged our kids at halftime, and they came up big in the second half,” said Marist coach Pat Dunne.
While the defense had a huge impact in Marist’s second-half comeback, it was the Redwings’ defense that provided the spark in the first half.
After the RedHawks (3-1, 2-1 East Suburban Catholic) drove 32 yards to the Benet 20 on its second possession, Redwing cornerback Jack Toner came down with an interception of an Ian Woodworth pass in the end zone to snuff out the Redhawk scoring chance.
Benet (0-4, 0-4) then went on an 80-yard, 11-play drive. Porter Ontko capped off the march with a two-yard dive into the end zone with 1:29 left in the first period.
Nick Mankowski found Jack Euritt on a seven-yard slant to give Benet a 14-0 cushion just before halftime.
Woodworth then got hot with his two standout receivers. He connected with Ryan Meyer on two straight passes, the second of which was a 33-yard scoring pass that Meyer caught down the sideline despite being interfered with.
“There was a lot of yelling going on at halftime, but we knew we had to get it done,” said Meyer.
Woodworth’s other favorite target, sophomore Nic Weishar, set up the tying score with a 37-yard reception to the Benet 17. Two plays later, Meyer made a sliding grab in the back of the end zone from 14 yards out on the final play of the third quarter. The drive was set up by Meyer’s acrobatic interception of a Mankowski pass.
Weishar (seven catches, 105 yards) had the big catch again on the final drive, a 23-yarder to the Benet 27. Meyer also had a 16-yard run that set up the winning field goal. He finished with six catches for 73 yards — 63 in the second half. Woodworth completed 18 passes for 228 yards after only connecting for 59 yards in the first half.
“Their defense stiffened up in the second half and caused us to really struggle,” said Benet coach Pat New. “At the same time our defense needed to step up and make a stop, but their receivers made some great plays and their quarterback put the ball right where it needed to be. We fought hard, but it just didn’t come up in our favor.”
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