ALFRED, NY - The Maritime College football team couldn't keep their momentum going from last weekend's NCAA tournament clinching win against Gallaudet as they fell on the road to Alfred State 21-17.
The Privateers got off to a hot start as
Frank Vano (Babylon, N.Y./Babylon) intercepted a pass on the opening drive and set up the Maritime offense with good field position.
Jack Lynn (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Chaminade) and the offense got to work right away as the junior quarterback found
Kevin Murphy (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) on the first play for a 31-yard pass. The Privateers drove down to the 10-yard line, but ultimately had to settle for a 27-yard
Joseph Gagliardi (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Sachem North) field goal.
Maritime's defense continued to shine in the opening quarter as
Wayne Betencourt (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) sacked the Pioneers quarterback for a 12-yard loss on third down in the ensuing drive. Maritime's offense got back to work on their first drive of the second quarter, but were unable to come away with points as Gagliardi missed a field goal for the first time this season.
Alfred State finally started to move the ball on offense and was threatening to score right before halftime, but senior defensive back
Justin Snuffer (Maple Shade, N.J./Maple Shade) intercepted a pass on the five-yard line to keep the lead at 3-0 heading into halftime.
The Pioneers came out hot to start the second half as they completed a 73-yard touchdown pass to take their first lead of the game. However, Lynn had the answer on the next drive as he connected with
Andrew Geni (Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) for a 54-yard touchdown as Maritime regained a three-point lead. Later in the quarter, Snuffer came up with another huge turnover for the Maritime defense as he forced a fumble at the 2-yard line, which rolled out of the end zone for a Privateers touchback.
After a 40-yard completion to Murphy got the drive started, Maritime drove all the way down the field for a touchdown to make it a 17-7 advantage.
Hezekiah Williamson (Albany, NY/Albany) rushed for his first touchdown on the day to give the Privateers the upper hand.
Unfortunately, a punt return touchdown for Alfred State flipped the momentum in their favor and they went on to win the game 21-17 after scoring a touchdown with 1:20 left to play. The Privateers conclude ECFC play with a 3-2 record and they will finish the regular season at home for senior day against Mount Saint Joseph.
Lynn finished 14-34 for 243 yards and a touchdown, while Williamson churned out 137 yards on the ground in 20 rushes. Both Geni and Murphy surpassed 100-yards receiving with five catches each for 116 and 109 yards, respectively. Defensively, Vano led the way with eight tackles, including a sack and an interception. Snuffer finished with seven tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.
Jabari Corsfield (Ozone Park, N.Y./Jamaica) also added an interception and seven tackles.
