2002 Warrior Football

Warriors Run Snapped on West Chester Field Goal with Two Seconds Remaining

October, 26, 2002

West Chester, Pa. - Golden Ram kicker Dan Wilbourne connected on a game-winning 34-yard field goal with two seconds left to snap East Stroudsburg's four-game win streak and take the game for West Chester 17-14.

ESU sees their national playoff hopes take a huge hit with the tough defeat as they drop to 5-2 on the year. The Warriors also fall out of the top spot in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division to 3-1 while the Golden Rams move into that spot at 3-0 and go to 4-4 on the year.

The Warriors led 14-7 at the half only to see West Chester put 10 points on the board including the deciding field goal on the board in the second half.

On the Warriors' second possession, Anthony Carfagno capped a six-play, 35-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge to give ESU a 7-0 lead. A Jeremy Palm to Justin Kondikoff 20-yard pass was the key drive to put the ball at the two-yard line.

In the second quarter, West Chester put their first points on the board. Mike Eckmeyer, who pounded out 185 yards on 37 carries, ran in from 13 yards away to tie the game. The Golden Rams QB Bob Findora hit wide outs Cory DeForrest and Brian Bradley for big gains of 22 and 28 yards on the 70-yard drive.

ESU answered the West Chester score. Palm quickly drove the team 74 yards in only four plays with a 30-yard scoring pass to Craig Mahon to give the Warriors back the lead for what would be the halftime score of 14-7. The same connection of Palm and Mahon set up the score with a 31-yard pass on the drive's second play.

West Chester tied the game, 14-14, in the third quarter with 2:31 remaining. Findora hit Bradley from 18 yards.

After a 55-yard punt from ESU's Ken Parrish, the Golden Rams went on the winning drive. WCU started their march with 3:01 on the clock and ate up the clock compliments of Eckmeyer. The running back ran the ball seven times for 48 yards to get the ball to the ESU 17-yard line. Wilbourne proceeded to boot the winning field goal with two seconds left to make it 17-14.

For the Warriors offense, Palm fired for 238 yards with a touchdown but was only 18 of 42 and two interceptions. Tim Strenfel had a good game with four catches for 62 yards to go with Kondikoff's five balls for 53 yards and two for 61 yards and a touchdown for Mahon. Greg Vaughn added 79 yards on 12 carries including a 54-yarder on the team's first possession.

The ESU defense stopped two West Chester drive with interceptions by Mike Glover and Pat Good. Ryan Vermillion had a huge day with 12 tackles and 11 solo while Phil DeCecco added seven and six stops each from Matt Rapa and Greg Thoman.

The Warriors return home next Saturday, November 2nd for Homecoming against Millersville University starting at 1:05 p.m. in Eiler-Martin Stadium.