NORTH BRIDGTON, Maine – The New England College football team suffered a narrow 39-34 loss to Bridgton Academy in pre-varsity action on Sunday in North Bridgton, Maine. 
 

HIGHLIGHTS 

• The NEC defense put the 'Grims on the board in the first quarter as freshman linebacker Kyle Gora (Hudson, N.H.) recovered a fumble in the opponent's endzone for the first touchdown of the game. A successful PAT from freshman kicker Jackson Kirsch (Chester, N.H.) would put NEC up 7-0. 
• In the second quarter, sophomore quarterback Icean Taylor (Manchester, N.H.) connected on an 18-yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end Austin Normandin (Gilford, N.H.).  
• Later in the second, freshman running back Fire Anderson (Cranford, N.J.) showed some burst on an explosive 72-yard rush to set the 'Grims up with a red zone opportunity. Sophomore running back Aidan McDonald (Salem, N.H.) would punch it in from a yard out to complete the scoring drive.  
• Coming out of the locker room in the third quarter, McDonald finished off another Pilgrims drive with his second one-yard touchdown run of the afternoon. An NEC two-point attempt would prove unsuccessful.  
• In the fourth quarter, positioned inside the Bridgton five-yard line, freshman quarterback Jackson Lombardo (Medford, Mass.) found freshman wide receiver Gavin Auger (Derry, N.H.) for the team's fifth touchdown of the day. Kirsch completed the score with an extra point, having gone a perfect 4-for-4 on the day.

UP NEXT 

• NEC is back on the field on Sunday, October 6th, when they travel to Vermont State University Castleton for pre-varsity action set to kickoff at 3:00 PM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.