Springfield College seemed destined for its first loss against MIT since 2019, but all of that changed in a split second.
The Pride defense and special teams delivered in the clutch moments, paving way for a 19-13 win in dramatic fashion.
โWe talked all week long about having 60 minutes of toughness, and it took all 60 today.โ Springfield coach Mike Cerasuolo said. โHappy about the grit, the perseverance that the team showed. They were never out of it.โ
Stagg Field was ready for the matchup as family weekend brought plenty of energy in fans and supporters and boy, did they deliver.
With a nor’easter off the coast of Massachusetts, the strong winds had both teams realizing that the usual game script was definitely going to be far from perfect. Springfield was able to set the tone early, leaning on the dominant run game that eventually led to a 40-yard field goal from Ian Wernik.
MIT wasnโt going to let the weather phase them either, as the Engineers blocked a punt, gaining prime field position, and setting set up an easy 11-yard touchdown throw from MITโs Ryan Treptow. The PAT was blocked however, as the Engineers took a 6-3 lead after one.
Springfield knocked another field goal down with six minutes remaining in the quarter, but the Engineers responded quick with a Keegan Doody 35-yard reception, and took extra yards into the heart of Springfield territory. Connor Rourke caught his first career touchdown from a Treptow dime. MIT led 13-6 at half, as Wernik missed a 30-yard field goal attempt with time expiring.
2025 NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year Tyler Sordillo got his first sack of the day in the third quarter, but Springfieldโs Mike Mendicino intercepted MIT, allowing for the Pride to have an opportunity of their own to fight back. The play was a clear momentum shifter that awoke the crowd at Stagg Field like a sleeping giant. Bradley Barcello led the charge down the field for Springfield as he ripped off a 27-yard rush to give the Pride a new set of downs in the Engineers territory. Jayden Aziz later tumbled his way into the end zone to give the Pride a new life, tied 13-13.
As the clock winded down in the fourth, MIT had clear control, and had an ideal situation at a potential game-winning field goal. With 1:49 left, Pride defensive back Nick Gonzalez made a move at the line to block the field goal attempt. Stagg erupted, and Will Aviles was able to scoop the ball for a 69-yards house call to give Springfield the lead.
โWe all just trusted each other,โ defensive end JT Kinsey said. โWe know we got each other, weโre stronger as one, we were hungry for this one.โ
Springfieldโs defense held the Engineers scoreless in the second half, showing that it could withstand any pressure thrown at them.
โWe talk about responses to negative situations, and obviously, there was a couple that they got into today and they responded well,โ Cerasuolo said about his defense.
Next week the Pride travel to play Salve Regina who are 4-0 on the year and lead the NEWMAC.
โWeโre going to celebrate this today and then weโll put the pieces together tomorrow,โ Coach Cerasuolo said.
โWeโre not really worried about what Salve Regina is doing, weโre worried about what Springfield College is doing, and weโre going to prepare for the coming week, but weโre gonna celebrate this exciting win today first.โ