THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The SUNY Maritime men's soccer team is coming off a strong 2017, where they picked up 11 wins. The 11-6-2 win total, as well as the 5-3-1 record in conference play, was good enough for the fourth-place finish in the Skyline Conference, which was three spots higher than the Privateers finished in 2016.  Head Coach Daniel Gwyther will look to build upon the successful 2017 season as Maritime hopes to chase its third title in program history.

The Privateers squad will be led by four returning 2017 All-Conference selections. The group of honorees includes senior midfielder Parker Gallt (Las Vegas, Nev./Plainfield South (Ill.)), junior forward Justin Forrest (Lusby, Md./Patuxent), and sophomore midfielder Anthony Palazzolo (Huntington Station, N.Y./Walt Whitman), who were all named to the league's first team. Sophomore goalkeeper Michael Rodriguez (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham), who was the league's Rookie of the Year in 2016, earned a spot on the All-Conference second team.

Along with returning eight total players who saw action in all 19 2017 contests, the Privateers also bring back its top five goal scorers in Galt, who tied for second in goals among all Skyline players with 16, Palazzolo who scored nine, Anthony Sblendorio (Bay Shore, N.Y. / Bay Shore) and Aleks Olthoff-Cusumano (Eastport, N.Y. / Eastport-South Manor) who both had five goals and Neil Dillon (Floral Park, N.Y. / Floral Park) who scored four goals.
The Privateers welcome in ten total freshmen to complement the strong core of returners.
 
Offense
Gallt will look to finish off what has been one of the best careers in the history of the Privateers program. In just three seasons, Gallt is top five in all-time in the three major offensive categories. Along with his 2nd all-time ranking in total goals with 25, Gallt also ranks 4th all-time in assists with 16 and 3rd all-time in points with 66.

Galt, along with Forrest and sophomore Anthony Palazzolo lead the midfield unit for the Privateers. The group of senior Stefan Gittens (Baton Rouge, La. / Baton Rouge Magnet), sophomore Luis Jimenez (Newburgh, N.Y. / Canterbury School (Conn.)), and junior Shevaughn Sheriffe (Yonkers, N.Y. / Cypress Creek (Fla.)) will add experience and skill in the forward role for the Privateers. Last season Sheriffe added one goal and two assists. Gittens appeared in four matches in his second year on the team. In his freshman seasons, Jimenez saw action in 16 games with a total of six shots.

Defense
The Privateers will look at a senior duo to bolster its defense. This duo consistsofseniorJoe Merendino (Pawling, N.Y. / Pawling) who saw action in all 19 contests a season ago and Lucas Antenucci (Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem) who played in 18 matches. The Privateers will also look towards experienced juniors Nicholas Ciacca (Bologna, Italy/ Pelham Memorial (N.Y.)) and Olthoff-Cusumano who are both making the transition over from the midfield. Led by its defense, the Privateers allowed the fourth least amount of goals in 2017.

Goalie
In goalie, Rodriguez will look to build off two notable seasons. The former Rookie of the Year already has multiple accolades under his belt in just two seasons in Throggs Neck. Tallying over 75 saves in 2017, Rodriguez currently ranks 4^th all-time in Maritime history in total saves.  
 
Schedule
Maritime will open its season with three games at home including the home opener against Webb Institute on Aug. 31,  City College of New York on Sep. 1 and will conclude its homestand versus York (NY) on Sep. 5.

The team also hosts Berkeley (NY) and Saint Elizabeth as part of its non-conference slate. On Sep. 20 Skyline conference play will begin as the Privateers travel to play Yeshiva. Eight days later, the Privateers will host Sarah Lawrence for its first conference home bout. Maritime will also welcome Mount St. Mary, Purchase and Farmingdale to Throggs Neck for home contests. The Privateers will honor Antenucci, Gallt, Gittens, and Merendino at senior day against Old Westbury on Oct. 12.
 
Skyline Conference postseason play opens up on Oct. 27, before the semifinals take place on Oct. 1. The remaining two teams will then battle for the Skyline Conference Championship on Nov. 3^, with the winner earning the league's bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.

2018 Skyline Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll:

1.	Mount Saint Mary
2.	St. Joseph's L.I.
3.	USMMA
4.	Maritime
5t.	Farmingdale State
5.	Mount Saint Vincent
7.	Old Westbury
8.	Purchase
9.	Sarah Lawrence
10.	St. Joseph's- Brooklyn
11.	Yeshiva