Corsairs Start Fast to Defeat Alfred State in Season Opener

UMass Dartmouth put together five scoring drives in the 1st half as they defeated Alfred State 49-21 in the season opener for both teams. The Pioneers got the offense going late in the contest scoring 21 of the final 28 points of the game.

Stephen Gacioch had a big day for the Corsairs. He tossed three 1st half touchdowns and added a 4th score in the 2nd half to lead UMD. He finished the day 17 for 25 for 185 yards and four scores. He also rushed for 46 yards on 13 carries. Gacioch threw two of his scoring passes to DJ Machado who finished with four catches for 64 yards.

Steffan Gravely led the rushing attack for UMD with 84 yards and a score on 12 carries. He also caught four passes for 24 yards. 

Alfred State scored three times in the final 18:04 of the game. Ronnie Clark (Philadelphia/Indian River) broke numerous tackles as he scored from 24-yards out to get the Pioneers on the board with 3:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter. After Dartmouth scored for the final time, Dashown Wilson (Bronx/DeWitt Clinton) connected on a pair of scoring passes in the 4th quarter. With 5:13 left he connected with Jalen Long (Rochester/Bishop Kearney) on a 32-yard pass play and with 20 seconds left he threw a deep 46-yard touchdown to Ricky Hagins (Eastridge).

Wilson finished the day 16 for 32 for 299 yards and two scores while Long caught nine passes for 173 yards and a score. Clark carried the ball 17 times for 50 yards.

Michael Zimmerman (Canandaigua) led the defense with 10 tackles while John Lauretti (Seaford) finished with eight tackles (one sack and three for a loss). 

Jacob Burkhead led the Corsairs with 10 tackles while Tony Slaughter had seven tackles and an interception. The UMD defense forced three turnovers on the day.

The Pioneers hit the road for the first time in 2018 next Saturday when they travel to Oneonta for a 5 p.m. contest with Hartwick.