Thai Nails Last Second Field Goal to Push Football Past Central Connecticut

North Andover, Mass. — In a game that came down to the final whistle, Merrimack earned a dramatic 16-14 victory over Central Connecticut State University on Saturday at Duane Stadium. The win improves Merrimack's record to 2-2 on the season.

The Basics
Score: Central Connecticut 14, Merrimack 16
Records: Central Connecticut (2-2), Merrimack (2-2)

How It Happened
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Warriors broke through midway in the second. Quarterback Ayden Pereira capped a steady 12-play, 67-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run up the middle, giving Merrimack the early 7-0 edge. On the next possession, the Warrior defense forced a punt, and the offense responded by moving the ball into field goal range. Carlton Thai converted from 28 yards out to stretch the lead to 10-0 with 9:12 left in the half. Merrimack's defense continued to set the tone, holding Central Connecticut to just 63 total yards in the opening two quarters. The Blue Devils threatened late in the half after, but the Warriors held firm near midfield, taking a 10-point lead into the break.
The Warriors came out strong in the third quarter, using a balanced mix of runs from Pereira and short passes to push inside Blue Devil territory. Thai drilled a 38-yard field goal to make it 13-0 with 4:31 left in the quarter. Central Connecticut finally broke through early in the fourth. Running back Elijah Howard found space off the left edge and sprinted 21 yards to the end zone, cutting the deficit to 13-7 with 12:46 remaining. Momentum swung further in the Blue Devils' favor late in the quarter when a Merrimack turnover set them up deep in Warrior territory. Howard finished the drive with a goal-line plunge to put CCSU ahead 14-13 with just 1:37 left. Needing a response, the Warriors put together their most important drive of the season. Pereira led the offense 65 yards down the field, connecting with Keshawn Brown on a 23-yard strike to set up the Warriors in the red zone. After three stops by the Central Connecticut defense, Merrimack called on Thai with three second left. The senior kicker calmly split the uprights from 19 yards out, lifting the Warriors to the thrilling 16-14 win.

Notable Performers
DJ Frazier led the Warriors with six tackles. He also led the team with two and a half tackles for loss.  
Garry Rosemond Jr. got the sixth interception of his Merrimack career.
Brown led the team with four receptions for 50 yards in the victory.

Up Next
Merrimack heads down to New York on Saturday afternoon to take on Stoney Brook University. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.