Box Score Atlanta, GA - The Maritime College men's soccer team began its trip to Atlanta with a bang by netting three goals in the second half to defeat Millsaps College in the opener of their road trip. 

The first half was a defensive battle by both teams, as the Privateers recorded the only shot on target for the half. However, a strong shot by Christopher Tavernese (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) set-up a corner kick in the 48th minute for Maritime and Sean O'Neill (Highland Mills, N.Y./Cornwall Central) rose to the occasion by scoring a header from the kick by Andrew Higgins (Franklin Square, N.Y./Carey). The goal marked O'Neil's first of the season and proved to be the game-winner.

However, the high-powered Maritime offense wasn't done yet. In the 80th minute, Tavernese was able to find space on a break away and net his seventh goal of the year. Four minutes later, Anthony Sblendorio (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) took a pass from Jake Palmer (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) and put the game away for the Privateers with his fouth goal of the season.

The Privateers entered the contest with an NCAA high 32-team goals and added three more to their total. Tavernese entered the match tied for fourth in the nation in total goals with six and will move into a tie for first at the moment with seven. 

Not to be outdone by the offense, Maritime's defense has now recorded five shutouts in seven games as the Privateers stand at 6-1 overall to start the season. However, Maritime will meet its toughest test of the year on Sunday as they take on No. 5 Emory University. The Eagles are 4-0 on the year and are one of the top teams in the country.

Michael Rodriguez (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) recorded his fourth shutout of the season with five total saves, all in the second half.

The Privateers return to New York to take on Yeshiva University in their Skyline Conference on Sep. 20 at 8:00 p.m. in Brooklyn, NY at the Aviator Complex. Maritime will then take on St. Joseph's Long Island before returning home, where they will look to extend their home winning streak to five games this season against Saint Elizabeth on Sep. 25 at 5:00 p.m.