The Maritime College men's soccer team increased its winning streak to six games and improved to 8-0 at home in dramatic fashion with an overtime win over Old Westbury. The Privateers improve to 13-3 on the season, tying the record for wins in a season in recent program history. Prior to the game, the men's soccer team honored its five graduating members, Lucas Antenucci (Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem), Stefan Gittens (Baton Rouge, La./Baton Rouge Magnet), Parker Gallt (Las Vegas, Nev./Plainfield South (Ill.)), Joe Merendino (Pawling, N.Y./Pawling), and Nick Schall (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon), with a quick pre-game ceremony.

The game was chippy from the start of the game with both sides playing physical defense. The Panthers entered the contest with only two goals allowed in conference play and a record of 1-0-4 in the Skyline. However, it was the Old Westbury offense that found the first good look of the match. In the 16th minute, junior goalkeeper Michael Rodriguez (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) left the box to punch out a free kick, but with heavy traffic he was unable to get it out of the box and the ball found the foot of a Panther forward. Old Westbury chipped it over the defender in front of them and had the ball flying towards the open net. However, a great effort from Justin Forrest (Lusby, Md./Patuxent) stopped the ball before crossing the goal line and the Privateers kept it a tied game.

The next good look at a goal came in the 39th minute of the first half off the foot of James Roland (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe). Following a blocked shot off a corner kick, the ball rolled out to Roland standing nearly 40 yards away from the net. However, the Fairfield, CT native lined it up and sent a rocket towards the top left corner. Old Westbury's goalie barely got to the shot in time to punch it over the net and the teams entered halftime at a 0-0 tie.

The second half was more fantastic defense from both sides, and with the players becoming exhausted due to the physical play, chances were slim for bothteams. Heading into overtime, all signs were pointing towards another tie for the Panthers.

Action continued to be limited in the overtime period with the first chance coming seven minutes in on a corner kick for Jerome Eastwood (Houston, Texas/Stratford). A successful clear from Old Westbury once again made its defense seem impenetrable. 

With time running out in the first period, the Privateers were able to send a ball into the box towards Neil Dillon (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park). The cross created havoc and the ball was punched loose momentarily as Dillon and the Panthers goalkeeper converged on the ball. Dillon was able to get there a step before the goalkeeper and powered it through his hands in front of the net. The ball found the head of Anthony Sblendorio (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) who easily put it into the back of the net to give Maritime the win.

The victory also improved Maritime's lead in the Skyline Conference as they now have 18 points. Mount Saint Mary and USMMA trail them with 13 points each, but the Privateers have wins over both teams. 

Maritime returns to Reinhart Field on Tuesday, Oct. 16 as they look to improve to 9-0 at home this season when they take on Purchase College at 8:00 p.m.