The Maritime College football team opened up ECFC play with a tough loss to Husson university on Saturday afternoon. The Privateers trailed by as much as 21 in the first half, but were able to cut the lead to six points in the fourth quarter and force a punt from the Eagles. However, a questionable roughing the punter penalty reignited Husson's drive and they were able to put the game out of reach.

The Privateers won the coin toss to start the game and chose to defer to the second half, however the Eagles took advantage right away by scoring three plays into the game. On third and four, the Eagles found Kyle Gaudet on the sideline who broke a tackle and took the ball to the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead.

After the second failed drive of the quarter, the Privateers special teams unit returned to the field to punt with 5:32 remaining in the quarter. Quan Soyini caught the punt and made Maritime pay the price by returning it 81 yards for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead.

Things continued to get worse for the Privateers as they couldn't get any offensive momentum going and early in the second quarter the Eagles added another touchdown and a two-point conversion to advance their lead to 21 points. 

With 7:11 remaining in the half, Thomas Wright (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) and the Privateers offense finally found some rhythm and was able to drive into the red zone. After a carry for negative two yards and an incomplete pass, Maritime was staring down a third and 12 from the Eagles 13-yard line. Wright dropped back to pass on the long third down and the pocket collapsed, but the Wantagh, NY native escaped to his right and found Kahlil Lewin (Brooklyn, N.Y./Erasmus Hall) on the sideline. Lewin made an acrobatic catch on the run and kept his feet in bounds to get the Privateers on the board.

With time winding down in the half, the officials made the decision to only keep the time on the field, but with less than two minutes on the clock, the Eagles added another touchdown to their first half total and took a 27-7 lead with very little time left. The Privateers didn't have much time to work with, but decided to try one more play. They ran an out route to Matthew Cebulski (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) and the sophomore wide receiver made two defenders miss and took off down the sideline. Cebulski was being chased down, but made a dive for the pilon and just got the ball across before his knee hit the ground to complete the 60-yard touchdown play. The big play to close the half woke up the crowd and gave the Privateers the energy boost they needed going into the locker room.

The third quarter didn't get off to the start the Privateers were looking for as Wright was strip sacked on the first offensive play of the second half. Maritime's defense came out and made a big stand though and forced the Eagles out of field goal range to keep it at a two-score game. Despite the fireworks to close the first half, the third quarter turned into a defensive battle and neither team was able to put points on the board.

Husson started to get a drive going early in the fourth quarter, but a big hit from Liam Bailey (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) forced a fumble and the Privateers defense came up with the turnover they needed. The offense responded and marched down the field with the drive being capped off by a touchdown pass from Wright to Brandonn Drumgole (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai). The 21-yard touchdown play marked the sixth time this season the two have connected for a touchdown.

After trailing 27-7 late in the first half, the Privateers were now within six points and just needed one stop to have a chance at winning the game.

Husson started to inch their way down the field, and after converting a big fourth down and one from the Maritime 43-yard line, it appeared they were going to be able to ice the game. Once again, the Privateers defense responded and came up with some big tackles to force a fourth and nine. 

Maritime broke through the line of scrimmage on the punt attempt and appeared to get a hand on the punt before running into the kicker, however, the official flagged the block attempt for roughing the kicker and gave the Eagles offense another shot at putting the game away. The flag sucked the energy out of Reinhart Field and the Eagles drove the rest of the way for a touchdown to make it a two-score game with two minutes remaining.

Trailing by 14 with two minutes on the clock, Maritime was unable to get any last minute miracles going, and fell 35-21 in their ECFC opener.

Wright finished 15 for 30 with 278 yards and three touchdowns, while Nicholas Morman (Covington, La./Northlake Christian) picked up 62 yards on 13 carries in the run game. Drumgole put together another stellar game with seven catches and 147 yards receiving. Bailey led the defensive effort with 11 tackles and the forced fumble.

Maritime travels to Alfred State next weekend on Oct. 6 before getting back to Reinhart Field on Oct. 13 for its homecoming game against Dean.