BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - The Catholic University football season ended on Saturday afternoon in Massachusetts as the Cardinals fell 34-24 to Bridgewater State in the New England Bowl. 

The Cardinals fell behind 14-0 after nearly 20 minutes of action before responding back to tie the game with 5:29 remaining in the first half. Catholic tied the contest once more at 21-21 in the third quarter, but Bridgewater scored 13 of the game's final 16 points to secure the bowl victory. 

After Bridgewater took a 14-0 lead on the opening possession of the second quarter, the Cardinals went three-and-out, punting from their own 26. However, Robert Marshall fumbled on the return and Malachi Hansen recovered, giving Catholic the ball at the BSU 38. After three straight Kevin Licciardi rushes gained 23 yards, Nico Casares found Hansen for a 15-yard score to put Catholic on the board with 7:53 to play in the second. 

On the ensuing drive, Aidan Long picked off James Cahoon at the Bridgewater 41, returning it all the way down to the nine. After pass interference set Catholic up on the goal line, Jared Colletti punched it in from two yards to tie the game at 14. 

Bridgewater answered on the next drive, retaking a 21-14 lead with 1:23 to play in the first half as Cahoon found Kyle Torres for a nine-yard score. Fabrizio Reilly attempted a 44-yarder as the first-half clock ran out, but he pushed it wide-right. 

The Cardinals forced a punt on the first possession of the second half, taking over at the Bridgewater 45 after a 20-yard Hansen return. Licciardi ran for nine yards on third-and-five, setting up a Catholic first down at the 31. After another 11-yard gain from Licciardi, the Cardinals had a third-and-one from the 22, and Casares found Preston Jeffrey for the touchdown, tying the game with Reilly's extra point attempt. 

The Bears took the lead for good at the 3:27 mark of the third quarter with Cahoon's touchdown pass to Jalen Kopecky, a 32-yard score. Catholic punted the ball away and the Bears added three more on a 39-yard field goal from Shane Drake to give Bridgewater State a 31-21 lead with 12:24 left. 

Casares hit Jeffrey on a 48-yard gainer that ultimately set up a Reilly field goal from 23 yards out. The kick got Catholic back within a score with 8:14 remaining. 

After forcing a punt, Catholic tried to fake a punt from its own 17-yard line, but Andrew Comeau's pass was intercepted by Matthew Mammone. Drake drilled a 29-yard field goal with two minutes left to seal the deal. 

Casares ended the day with 256 passing yards and two touchdowns for the Catholic offense, finishing a tremendous season under center. Jeffrey tacked on three catches for 83 yards and a touchdown to his already impressive career numbers and tight end Derrick Aikens chipped in with five receptions for 68 yards. 

Carson Henry and Joe Nazzaro combined for 17 tackles and a TFL in the contest to go along with Long's interception. 

Catholic ends the 2022 season with a winning record of 6-5.