Box Score THROGS NECK, NY - The Maritime football team traveled to Mount Ida College for their final contest of the 2008 season. The Privateers fell in a tough battle 28-35 to finish the season at 4-5 overall. Although not a winning year in terms of percentage, the team still has much to be pleased with. The 4 wins in Maritime's third season of football surpasses the win total for the first two seasons combined, and the Privateers are still very young. The team will bring lots of talent and depth into the NAC Conference for the 2009 season.
The Privateers scored first on the afternoon, after Stephen Kircher (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) intercepted a pass and returned it 18 yards to midfield. It took only 4 plays for the Privateers to punch the ball into the endzone, thanks to a 17 yard rush from John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) (Islip Terrace, NY/St. Anthony's) followed by a 10 yard gain from James Spanopolous (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey). From the 24 yard line, freshman quarterback Anthony Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) (Islip Terrace, NY/St. Anthony's) attempted and completed his first pass of the game, a 24 yard strike to his brother John. The extra point gave Maritime a 7-0 lead.
Mount Ida took their next possession and went 68 yards on 11 plays to tie the game at 7, with just under 3 minutes to play in the first stanza. However, the Privateers didn't wait long to break the tie, as John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) took the ensuing kickoff 43 yards all the way into Mount Ida territory. Two plays later, James Spanopolous rushed for a career long 34 to score the Privateer's second touchdown, and give them a 14-7 lead. The drive took only 46 seconds.
The Privateer defense forced a punt from the Mustangs in their next possession, right before time expired in the first quarter. The second quarter began with a 16 yard carry from quarterback Anthony Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) to bring Maritime into Mustang territory. Robert Johnson (Merrit Island, FL/Merrit Island) saved the drive when he fell on a fumble near midfield. A timeout helped the Privateers to re-focus, and then the Privateers put together another scoring drive. It began when David O'Connor (Carmel, NY/Carmel) broke through the line for a 13 yard carry. The drive continued on the ground, and Spanopolous scored his second on the afternoon with a 7 yard rush to cap off the 10 play, 68 yard drive.
The Mustangs came right back and scored on their next possession, breaking several tackles on a very methodical 17 play drive. The extra point was blocked by Chris Walters (Garden City, NY/Garden City) (Garden City, NY/Garden City) to leave the score at 21-13 in favor of the Privateers. Forced the punt, the Privateers pinned the Mustangs inside their own 20 yard line with only 45 seconds to play in the half. Once again, the defense stepped up, forcing the Mustangs to turn the ball over again. This time, Troy Smith (Brooklyn, NY/Fort Hamilton) forced a fumble, which was recovered by Michael Oehl (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown West) (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown West). The half ended with the score 21-13 Maritime.
Maritime was forced to punt their first possession of the half, and the Mustangs took advantage of getting the ball early. The drove down the field and converted on a fourth down fake punt to keep the drive alive and eventually score. A successful two-point conversion tied the game at 21. The teams traded turnover over the next few drives, but a Privateer turnover inside the Mount Ida 20 yard line proved costly. The Mustangs took their first lead of the afternoon, 28-21, with 1:34 remaining in the third.
A personal foul on the Mustangs gave Maritime 15 extra yards on the ensuing kickoff, which proved to be a boost for the offense. Maritime took advantage on the free yards and brought the ball down the field failry quickly. The drive lasted 4:17 and ended with John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's)'s second touchdown of the afternoon, this one a 13 yard rush to tie the game at 28.
The Mustangs wasted no time breaking the tie, taking their next possession and scoring what proved to be the game winning touchdown. Although the Privateers committed their third turnover on the next drive, the defense stood strong and gave Maritime one last shot to tie the game again. With 5:55 showing on the clock, the Privateers began their drive from their own 24 yard line. The Privateers converted on a third and 6 play with a 7 yard gain from Spanopolous, and a Mustang personal foul added 15 more yards to the play. That sequence put Maritime on the Mustang 33 yard line. Three plays later, the Privateers converted another 3rd down to keep their drive alive. A sack by the Mustang defense cost the Privateers 6 yards, and ultimately forced a fourth and 5 from the 16 yard line. The Privateers fell inches short, as John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) was stopped on the play.
John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) finished with a team leading 103 yards on the ground, including a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown of 24 yards. James Spanopolous finished with 94 yards on the ground and two scores, bringing his season average to over 102 yards per game. The Privateers will be working towards the third annual Chowder Bowl which kicks off the 2009 season in Buzzards Bay, MA on September 5th. The first NAC Conference game will be held at Husson College on September 26th.
