MANSFIELD STAYS PERFECT WITH 27-23 WIN OVER THE HAVEN

(Lock Haven, Pa.) – The Mansfield Mountaineers, riding on the shoulders of running back Earnest McNeal’s four touchdowns and 329 all-purpose yards, ended Lock Haven’s six-game hold over them with this evening’s 27-23 victory at Hubert Jack Stadium.  In a game delayed almost three hours due to storms in the area, it was the first win for Mansfield over Lock Haven since the 1996 season (6-3 at Lock Haven, Pa.), and improves the Mountaineers’ record to 4-0 overall. Lock Haven falls to 1-3 overall. 
          Lock Haven took the first lead of the game, scoring at 7:57 in the first quarter off a 25-yard field goal by Danny Hagerman (Scottdale/Southmoreland).  
          Mansfield answered two drives later, covering 55 yards including a 43-yard pickup and final one-yard scamper into the endzone by McNeal to move out into the lead, 7-3.  McNeal capped off the Mountaineers next drive with another short gain into paydirt from two yards out after a long 32-yard connection between quarterback Travis Motley and Joe Bennett brought MU to the two-yard line as the second quarter rolled around.           
           Lock Haven would not leave the second quarter empty-handed, as Troy Wile (Fayetteville/Chambersburg) found Rafael Smith (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) in the back of the endzone from 16 yards out with 1:22 remaining on the clock.  The two-point conversion attempt failed, bringing the score to 14-9 in favor of Mansfield .

        The small score discrepancy would be widened on the very next play by McNeal, however, who stretched the Mansfield lead out to 20-9 when he barreled through Haven defenders on the kick return for an 88-yard touchdown with just 1:05 left in the half. The MU two-point attempt failed, keeping the score at 20-9.
        The Haven charged back after the half, scoring the only points of the third quarter on a rush by Maurice Walker (N. Braddock/Woodland Hills) from two yards out. Walker had taken the ball on five carries for a total of 25 yards on the drive.  This time around the pass from Wile to Scott Anderson (Cortland, Ohio/Lakeview) was successful, narrowing the gap to 20-17.
13:46 remaining in the game on their first drive of the fourth quarter.  On a possession resulting from an LHU fumble recovery at the Mansfield 40-yard line, Lock Haven stung together 11 plays before the five-yard pass from Wile found Marcus Burkley (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) in the far right corner of the endzone.  The two-point attempt failed, making the score 23-20 in favor of the Bald Eagles.
         Just as quickly the Mountaineers recovered with McNeal moving the ball up the field before pushing his way into the endzone for the fourth time tonight, this time on a 10-yard rush. The Sean Hair kick was good, giving MU back the lead at 27-23 with 8:43 left in the contest.
          The Haven held on to the ball for nine plays on the next possession and made it as far as the 23-yard line, but to deep passes fell incomplete and LHU was forced to turnover the ball on downs.  Mansfield possessed the ball for the remainder of the game to hold on to its final 27-23 advantage.
          The Mansfield offense revolved around McNeal, who posted 219 yards rushing with three scores, and also added 103 yards on two kickoff returns including the 88-yard return for touchdown.  Joe Bennett caught two passes for 74 yards.  Defensively, Keith Slezak had 13 stops, including two for loss, and Randy Reinert added 10 tackles. 
          Lock Haven’s Troy Wile threw for 101 yards and two touchdowns, going 12-for-21 passing.  Marcus Burkley made seven catches for 47 yards and a score, while Maurice Walker led the way on the ground with 18 carries for 56 yards and one touchdown.  Linebacker Dan Wissinger (Johnstown/Ferndale Area) led LHU with seven tackles, while fellow linebacker Derrik Metz (Roaring Spring/Central) added six stops.
           Lock Haven, now 1-3 on the season, travels to Cheyney University on Sat., Oct. 4, for a 1 p.m. contest.