By Marvin Pave, Boston Globe


It’s unlike that Tyler McNamara will ever forget the last field goal he attempted for Medway High’s football team, or his first one for Bentley University.

“We were playing Millis on Thanksgiving Day during a freak snowstorm and we were in a scoreless tie with a couple of minutes to play,’’ recalled McNamara.

“I had a chance to win it and really got my leg into the football, but it hit the crossbar and bounced back. Luckily, we still won the game.’’

And the weather wasn’t kind to McNamara when he lined up a 30-yarder with 2 seconds to play in his college debut in 2006, with Bentley opening at Division 2 power East Stroudsburg.

The Falcons were trailing, 7-6, with steady rain and a brisk crosswind, but this time McNamara nailed the kick, giving the Waltham school the 9-7 upset win and launching a career that he hopes will continue after Saturday’s game at Northeast-10 Conference rival Stonehill.

Under first-year head coach Thom Boerman, Bentley (8-1 overall, 6-1 NE-10) can clinch the league title and a berth in the NCAA Division 2 playoffs.

“I wouldn’t say the field goal at East Stroudsburg was a make-or-break kick in terms of my career, because you learn after a miss to shake it off and do whatever you can to correct what went wrong,’’ said McNamara. “But it definitely was a confidence builder.’’

The fifth highest scoring player in Bentley football history with 214 points, McNamara holds the school record for field goals in a game (4); he hit the mark in Bentley’s only loss this fall, 14-12, against Merrimack. He also holds the NE-10 records for field goals in a game, season, and career, and many of his extra points and field goals this season have been difference-makers:

??? In the season opener at Ohio Dominican, his point-after in the final quarter put the capper on a 14-13 comeback victory.

??? His three field goals and 11 points were crucial in a 23-15 win at New Haven.

??? A 30-20 win over American International College featured 12 points and three field goals, including the one that put the Falcons up for good, 23-20.

??? A 17-14 win over Southern Connecticut was decided when McNamara broke a 14-all tie with an 18-yard field goal.

??? A 28-27 comeback win at Pace was secured with his extra point with 18.6 seconds left.

??? He broke a 20-all tie at Assumption with his point-after kick, and added a 24-yard field goal in the final quarter of Bentley’s 24-20 victory.

McNamara credits his snapper, Billy Panora, and his holder, Bryant Johnson, for aiding his maturation as a kicker.

“We’ve had a lot of game experience together and we practice every day from varying distances and try to do it in 1.25 seconds,’’ said McNamara, who has connected on 41 of 59 career field goal attempts (13 of 17 this season), and 91 of 96 extra points (22 of 23 this fall).

On game days, McNamara checks out field and weather conditions before checking in with Boerman to assess his range for field goal attempts.

He told Boerman during the Pace game that a crucial attempt on fourth down was about a 50-50 shot because of the conditions. The Falcons chose to stay on the attack and drove for a touchdown.

“I know I can trust Tyler, no matter what the situation,’’ said Boerman. “He has become one of the most important tools in our box and has been clutch since his first game as a freshman. He is the best kicker in New England in any division.’’