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The highlight for the Pioners, 9-3 on the year, was the final regular season game against Bryant University at Pioneer Field.
The Pioneers needed a win to qualify for the postseason playoffs or they would go out as second place runner-ups. Sacred Heart delivered in the final minutes and came up with a late fourth quarter touchdown for a thrilling 14-7 win.
Unfortunately, the postseason ended after one game as they lost to Fordham for the second straight year. The Pioneers dropped a 44-22 decision to the Rams at Jack Coffey Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.
“We didn't play extremely well,” coach Mark Nofri said after the game. “We did some things that shot ourselves in the foot. We weren't great in the kicking game, and when you play good teams like that, there's a reason why you have to play your best. We didn't play our best, and they capitalized on it.”
The coach also put the loss into perspective, emphasizing what it meant to the seniors.
"It's certainly difficult for the 36 seniors who changed the culture of our program to go out like this," said Nofri.
The end was difficult, but the league recognized the team's accomplishments. Nofri received his second consecutive NEC Coach of the Year Award, and 16 Pioneers received accolades.
Nofri guided a program that had been last in the league for years to two consecutive league championships.
The Pioneer student athletes honored as First-Team All-NEC are Tyler Dube, Gordon Hill, Jaime Martinez, Troy Moore, RJ Noel, and James Rentz. The eight second teamers are: Kevin Barry, Pat Casey, Connor Candito, Connor Caveney, Dan Polaski, Chris Rogers, J.D. Roussel and Keshaudas Spence.
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