Zonteda's 21-Yard Field Goal Lifts Maulers Past Punks
Riley Kade — JRSports One
Sandy Zonteda kicked a 21-yard field goal with 1:05 left in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Maulers beat the Seattle Punks 24-20. Minnesota had not led since Kenta Kyan's 33-yard field goal with 0:28 left in the third quarter, and it held the lead to the final whistle.
The turning point came at 10:52 of the fourth quarter, when Emilio Jintoza threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Keastworth that put Minnesota ahead 21-17. Seattle answered on its next possession with Kyan's 31-yard field goal, cutting the margin to 20-21, but Zonteda's kick at 1:05 gave Minnesota the final three points.
Minnesota opened the scoring at 10:18 of the first quarter, when Jintoza hit Mack Seatham for a 26-yard touchdown, making it 7-0. Alex Lea's 26-yard touchdown catch from Alejandro Gienales tied the game at 2:05. Seatham caught a 1-yard touchdown pass at 5:27 of the second quarter to put Minnesota ahead 14-7. Gienales found Noah Steamore for 8 yards at 7:23 of the third quarter to tie it at 14, and Kyan's field goal at 0:28 gave Seattle a 17-14 edge.
Seattle's Spencer Foorley recovered a fumble by Yu-chen Yungzaki at 3:51 of the first quarter. Mack Ralrick intercepted Gienales at 12:13 of the second quarter and returned it 9 yards. Logan Sird picked off Gienales at 2:29 of the second quarter, returning it 1 yard, with Minnesota then leading 14-7. Gienales threw two interceptions on the night, and Minnesota committed one turnover.
Gienales completed 27 of 34 passes for 314 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Lea caught eight passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. Jintoza completed 25 of 32 passes for 235 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Keastworth caught 11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Yungzaki carried 17 times for 110 yards. Austin Gow led Seattle's defense with 13 tackles and a forced fumble, and Ricardo Muana added nine tackles and a sack.
Ruben Jerillo of Seattle left with a knee injury. Wade Crull of Minnesota left with hamstring tightness, and Hunter Kond of Minnesota left with a shoulder injury.
Seattle outgained Minnesota 370 yards to 348, but Minnesota ran for 143 yards to Seattle's 76. Minnesota improved to 5-2 with the win, and Seattle fell to 3-3-1.
