Liberty came so close to registering the best win of the Shawn Daignault era last week at Nazareth, but those hopes were dashed late in the fourth quarter of a scoring frenzy only to see the Blue Eagles pull away with a 52-42 victory.

The win improved Nazareth to 6-1 on the season and dropped the Hurricanes to 5-2, but with both teams trading punches all night long on offense, a defensive play changed the outcome of the game.

The Hurricanes led 42-38 with just under five minutes left when Tanner Zelachowski picked off Antonio Fontanez and raced 57-yards to the Liberty eight-yard line.

Nazareth’s star running back Marquez Wimberly took over from there scoring from eight yards out to push Nazareth ahead 45-42. Wimberly would tack on another 39-yard score late to ice the game and leave the Hurricanes wondering what if?

Despite the disappointing outcome, head coach Shawn Daignault was proud of how his team played toe-to-toe with one of the areas top programs.

“We had every opportunity to win that one and we were well within our capabilities,” said Daignault. “Penalties killed us. Defense got split in the third quarter a couple times, but I told the team I’m proud of them and how they sacrificed for each other. It’s going to treat us well in the next month.”

Liberty jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a pair of touchdown throws by Fontanez to Zyaire Davis, covering 37 and 57 yards to have the ‘Canes race out in front, only to see Nazareth answer with a pair of scores before the quarter finished to leave things level.

Fontanez threw his third score of the game in the second quarter to Jake Pukszyn with a 14-yard touchdown to put Liberty back ahead, but Nazareth finished the half with a 33-yard field goal and a 35-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Madson to Matt Leluga to take a 24-21 lead into halftime.

From there, Wimberly exploded in the second half, scoring four times, including the a 76-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter and a 35-yard rumble later in the quarter to put the Blue Eagles ahead 38-28.

Nazareth was on track to go ahead 45-28 late in the third when Davis gave Liberty new life with a strip fumble that he returned 97 yards to pull the ‘Canes within 38-35.

Gabe Green then pushed the Hurricanes ahead 42-38 with a 51-yard touchdown with 8:27 left in the game.

That’s when Zelachowski flipped the game three minutes later after Liberty forced a defensive stop.

“That’s a bread and butter that’s treated us well all year,” said Daignault of the interception. “I’d have to see the film to see what triggered Antonio to throw it because it’s an RPO concept, so you got to tip your hat to Nazareth there. I thought the one defensive play we made with Zyaire made the difference, but Nazareth made some too.”

Wimberly finished the night with 308 yards on the ground and four touchdowns, while Madson threw for 168 yards and two scores.

Fontanez threw for 316 yards and three scores, but also tossed two interceptions. He needs three touchdown passes to break Liberty’s single-season record for passing touchdowns.

Davis (six catches, 142 yards and two touchdowns) and Pukszyn (eight catches, 97 yards and a touchdown) continue to be the area’s best receiving duo, while Gabe Green’s 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns aren’t overlooked either.

Things only get tougher this week for Liberty, as they head to Cottingham Stadium to face an undefeated Easton (7-0) team Friday night.

“We got senior leaders and we talked a lot about sacrificing for each other and these guys will get back to work,” Daignault said. “We’re due to win one of these games, because I’m tired of being right there in games like this and not coming out on top.”