BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Western New England University scored 42 unanswered points to pull away from the University of New England in a 42-7 Commonwealth Coast Conference football win Saturday afternoon (Oct. 28) at Blue Storm Stadium.

Both teams now sit tied for second place in the conference standings with identical 2-1 ledgers. The win improved the Golden Bears' overall record to 5-3, while UNE slipped to 6-2.

The Nor'easters took the opening kickoff and drove down the field in just over three minutes to get on the scoreboard. The 8-play, 78-yard drive ended with a 15-yard diving catch by Berto Zepeda on a pass down the middle from Jarrett Henault [WATCH].

Western New England drove deep into UNE territory on the ensuing possession only to fumble when Spencer LaBrecque jarred the ball loose from a Golden Bear ball carrier. Evan Hazard recovered the fumble on the Nor'easters' 15 yard line.

UNE would then put together a 10-play drive and appeared as if it would add to its lead, but WNE's Ben Caulfield intercepted a Henault pass to thwart the drive.

The Golden Bears took advantage of the turnover to even the score at 7-7 in just three plays. Conrad Swanson hit Greg Perry with a 53-yard catch-and-run for the scoring play.

Western New England would double its lead with the only scoring of the second frame. After UNE punter Bernie Mulcahy pinned the Golden Bears at its one-yard line with a 57-yard boot, WNE fashioned a 99-yard drive thanks in large part to a pair of chunk runs. Dillon Kohl's rushed up the middle for 42 yards on the first play, then Swanson went for another 39 on the very next. The drive concluded with Ryan Carlson going up the middle and scoring from three yards out.

The second half was all Golden Bears, as the visitors kept UNE off the scoreboard while tallying 14 points in each quarter. Kohl recorded a three-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 21-7 before Swanson bounced left for an 18-yard rush to make the score 28-7.

Kohl would take on another rushing score and Danny Gisonno found the end zone from six yards out to wrap up the scoring.

Swanson finished with a game-high 104 yards on the ground to lead the WNE offense. He also added 127 yards through the air, including the touchdown strike to Perry. Kohl added 70 yards on 11 carries, and Tyler Millerick had seven rushes for 57 yards. All told, the Golden Bears racked up 305 rushing yards.

Defensively, Western New England was led by Caulfield who had seven tackles (six solo) to go with his interception. Jake Chiasson and Jason Shumilla combined for 13 total tackles. Shumilla also contributed an interception, and Cam Leblanc had a fumble recovery. The Golden Bears finished the afternoon with five quarterback sacks.

Henault went for 212 yards on 23-for-35 accuracy. Will Ledbetter came off the UNE bench to go 3 of 5 for 41 yards. Zepeda just missed the century mark with 97 receiving yards on seven catches, while Damien Jones paced the Nor'easter ground attack with 75 yards on eight carries, including a 32-yarder. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Nate Reid led the way for UNE with seven solo tackles. Spencer Sherck added six (five solo).

Both teams return to action next Saturday (Nov. 4). Western New England will host Nichols College, while UNE and Husson University will hook up for the 3rd Annual Lobster Trap Game. Kickoff at Blue Storm Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.