Ibrahim Smith had a career days with 139 yards and two TD's

Clarion, Pa. – The Lock Haven University Football team avoided its first winless season in 56 years as they defeated the Clarion University Golden Eagles in overtime by a 17-14 margin.

The win for LHU was their first since they defeated Clarion last season at Hubert Jack Stadium.

Clarion looked to get on the board early as they marched down field easily only to have a 30 yard field goal attempt fall short and keep the game scoreless.

Both teams would trade possessions until Clarion would find pay dirt early in the second frame.

Clarion scored in the second quarter as quarterback Tyler Huether powered in from the goal line on a one yard QB keeper to give the Golden Eagles the lead. Kicker Nick Sipes boot cleared the uprights to make the score 7-0.

Following a possession by each team LHU would get the ball back with great field position and would capitalize on it as five plays later running back Ibrahim Smith (New Bloomfield, Pa./West Perry) crossed the plane of the endzone. Haven kicker Marc Domonkos’ (Windber, Pa./Bishop McCort) PAT would be good to tie the game up at 7-7.

Things would remain the same as both teams headed to the locker room.

As the two teams came from the locker room it became a defensive struggle in the third quarter as both teams were unable to put on points on the scoreboard.

LHU had a great opportunity to take the lead as following a muffed Brendon Pickel (Easton, Pa./Easton) punt the Bald Eagles had great field position at the Golden Eagle 25, but they were unable to do much with it as they had to settle for a field goal attempt from Domonkos. Domonkos’ kick would sail wide left keeping the score at a 7-7 deadlock.

Lock Haven would waste no time scoring in the fourth quarter as 11 seconds into the frame Smith would scamper 64 yards to the end zone to give The Haven the 14-7 lead following Domonkos’ PAT.

Each team would trade possessions until with 8:30 to go quarter number four Clarion would get possession and march downfield on an ten play 89 yard drive which resulted in a touchdown. Running Back Eddie Emmanuel barreled one yard up the middle for the score which became tied again following Sipes second extra point of the day.

Lock Haven would have one last ditch effort to win the game in regulation as quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Orchard Park, N.Y./St. Francis) would find Chris Hawkins (Glenside, Pa./Cheltenham) 39 yards downfield but time would expire before the LHU coaches could get the timeout in sending the game to overtime.

Clarion would the toss and chose to take the ball for the first possession of the overtime frame. The Bald Eagle defense pushed Clarion backwards and the Golden Eagles had to settle for a field goal attempt. Sipes’ 47 yard attempt would be short of the mark for the second time of the day setting Lock Haven up for the win.

LHU’s possession would start at the Clarion 25 and four plays later culminate with a 35 yard boot from the nearside hash. Third time would be a charm for Domonkos as his field goal would clear the uprights to give Lock Haven their first victory of the year.

Leading the way on the ground for Lock Haven was Smith who carried the ball 22 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns. His 139 yards and two touchdowns are the best of his young career.

Through the air DiPaolo and Tyler Golden (Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone) combined to be 15 of 22 for 184 yards. DiPaolo had a stellar performance going 10-15 for 97 yards and Golden also put up strong numbers as he went 5-7 for 87 yards in only one quarter of work.

On the receiving end junior Damar Dowell (Buffalo, N.Y./Erie Community College) had four catches for 60 yards.

Defensively LHU was led by Mike Nesby’s (Pittsburgh/Rankin) eight tackles and Corey Gildea’s (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Holliddaysburg) five tackles on the day gave him 100 on the season.

Lock Haven wraps up their season with a 1-11 mark and for the second time in a row Head Coach John Klacik won a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West game defeating Clarion both times.