Newport, RI – Junior quarterback Zach Townsend (Corning, NY/Corning East) (Corning, NY/Corning East) led all rushers with 104 yards, while freshman defensive back Troy Smith (Brooklyn, NY/Fort Hamilton) (Brooklyn, NY/Fort Hamilton) excelled with a 30-yard fumble recovery for his first collegiate touchdown, but the Privateers couldn’t pull out the upset in their Division III debut, dropping a 21-15 decision to the Seahawks of Salve Regina University in Newport, RI.

 

Defensively, the Privateers were led by defensive back Donald Toby (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) who recorded seven tackles. Smith and linebacker Michael Oehl (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown West) (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown West) each finished with 6.5 tackles for losses. The Privateer defense completely shutdown Salve Regina’s running game, allowing just 19 yards on the ground.

 

The Seahawks were led offensively by quarterback Robert Higle (Sleepy Hollow, NY) who threw for 148 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, junior linebacker John DeMartino (North Haven, CT/North Haven) was the high man for Salve, finishing with nine solo tackles and four assisted.

 

Maritime broke out to an early lead, scoring nine points in the first quarter; Smith’s fumble return and a 23-yard field goal by freshman Klestor Pellumbi (Astoria, NY/Christopher Columbus) (Astoria, NY/Christopher Columbus). The Seahawks were kept out of the end zone until their final drive of the first half, Higle’s first touchdown pass of the day.

 

Following a scoreless third quarter, Salve would construct an eight play, 54-yard scoring drive to take a 14-9 lead with 13:37 on the clock. However, the Privateers would quickly answer back with their own scoring drive that was capped off by a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Townsend, giving Maritime a 15-14 lead with 8:08 left in the game.

 

Salve Regina would reclaim the lead two drives later when Higle connected with a diving senior wide receiver Antonio Guzzo (Sleepy Hollow, NY) in the back of the end zone, giving the Seahawks the 21-15 lead.

 

Maritime opens up at home this Saturday when they host Gallaudet University for the first half of a Homecoming doubleheader. Football is scheduled to kick-off at 1:00pm, which will then be followed by a women’s soccer contest at 5:30pm.

 

 

- MARITIME -