PAXTON, MASS. - The Maritime College football team picked up a huge 13-10 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over Anna Maria on Saturday afternoon. The Privateers trailed 10-7 late in the fourth quarter, when the offense put together a 13-play, 66-yard drive capped off by a Joseph Gagliardi (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Sachem North) 37-yard field goal with 17 seconds left on the clock. In overtime, the Maritime defense came up with a stop on the opening possession, and then Gagliardi drained a 29-yard field goal for the win. Earlier this season, Gagliardi nailed a game-winning 42-yard field goal in the season opener against Maine Mariitime.

In the first quarter, both defenses were firing on all cylinders as neither team could put together a scoring drive. However, in the first drive of the second quarter, the Privateers were able to get on the board first. The drive was highlighted by two 10-yard runs from Robert Wheeler (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan E. Wagner) and it was capped off by a 20-yard pass from Wheeler to senior captain Andrew Geni (Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac). 

On the ensuing drive, the AMCATS were able to drive inside the 20-yard line, but the Privateers defense held strong as Dru Stephens (New Orleans, LA/Holy Cross) broke up a pass on fourth-and-seven. Unfortunately, Anna Maria was still able to tie the game before halftime and both teams entered the locker rooms tied at seven.

The first play of the third quarter was a 42-yard pass for the AMCATS, but two plays later, Tayler Trapani (Waveland, Miss./St. Stanislaus) came up with a big interception for the Privateers. Similar to the first quarter of the game, both teams struggled to move the ball and the game entered the fourth quarter with the score still tied. 

Anna Maria was able to strike first in the fourth quarter as they hit a 21-yard field goal with eight minutes left to play. After a punt from Maritime, the defense came up with the stop they needed to stay in the game as Jabari Corsfield (Ozone Park, N.Y./Jamaica) picked up the tackle on third-and-seven. The Privateers took over possession on their own 14-yard line with four minutes left to play. Maritime turned to Hezekiah Williamson (Albany, NY/Albany) to get the momentum going as he picked up back-to-back eight yard runs. The Privateers were then able to air it out as Wheeler found Christian Judge (Springfield Gardens, N.Y./Springfield Gardens) caught two passes for 20 yards and Geni caught another for 19 yards. The drive stalled at the 20-yard line for Maritime, and head coach Mickey Rehring turned to Gagliardi to force overtime with 17 seconds left to play. The sophomore kicker, with two special teams player of the week awards already under his belt this season, drained the 37-yarder and sent the game to overtime.

In the overtime period, Anna Maria started with the ball, but the Privateers defense didn't allow a single yard and gave the offense the chance to win the game. The Privateers opened their offensive drive with a 21-yard from Christian Schiavone (White Plains, N.Y./White Plains). Unfortunately, Maritime couldn't find the end zone and were forced to turn to Gagliardi again for a 29-yard attempt. Gagliardi nailed the kick and sealed the second consecutive conference win for the Privateers.

Wheeler finished 11-17 for 94 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing 18 times for 68 yards. Williamson rushed 23 times for 74 yards, while Geni caught seven passes for 64 yards and a score. Wayne Betencourt (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) led the defense with 11 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack for a 10-yard loss. 

Maritime improved to 3-4 on the season and 2-1 in ECFC play. The Privateers return to action on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. against Gallaudet on Reinhart Field.