THROGGS NECK, NY - The Maritime College women's soccer team is ready to begin its second campaign under head coach Stefanie May in 2019 and hopes to see major improvements this fall behind a strong core of returners and exciting newcomers.
 
Last season, the Privateers finished with a 2-11-1 overall record and 1-7-1 in Skyline play, however, with seven losses by three or less goals, they hope to turn those close games into victories in 2019.
 
"For the 2019 season, I see a lot of great things, and there are a lot of opportunities for our program going forward for the future," said May. "There's a lot of excitement and buzz going on, and I see us shaking things up a little bit in the conference, and playing some great soccer."
 
Maritime returns six of its top eight point leaders from 2018 and believes that with returning the majority of their offense, the chemistry will be apparent in the early goings of the season.
 
Brianna Etienne (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) led the Privateers with six goals and one assist for 13 points, while MacKenzie Fabiani (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) and Kayla Kelly (South Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville) each scored two goals in 2018. Other key returners for the offense will be Ojaira Suero (Bronx, N.Y./Urban Assembly), Caitline Etienne, and Nicolette Sarubbi (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison).
 
"We have some new faces coming in, and we have some returners that are going to look to build on where they left last year, and continue to grow," said May. "I see a lot of versatility with our players this season versus last year, so we have some options, and it's exciting from a coaching end, and I look forward to what we have, and where we are going to be."
 
The 2019 roster boasts three freshmen: Lizzie Pomaro (Farmingville, NY/Newfield), Anya Joseberger (Coxsackie, NY/Coxsackie-Athens), and Erin Hartill (Sound Beach, NY/Miller Place).
 
Despite losing First-Team All-Skyline selection senior goalkeeper, Cammie Havens (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Borough),  Maritime expects to be strong defensively in 2019 as the Privateers return Sara Wright (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip), who was selected as a Skyline All-Conference First Team selection on defense in 2017, Ashley Giorgio (Islip, N.Y./Islip), who played 990 minutes in 2018, sixth most on the team, and Nikki DellaSperanza (Huntington, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran), one of only three Privateers to play and start in all 14 games in 2018.
 
Maritime opens up the year at home on Sunday, September 1 against York College at 12:00 p.m. Following the season opener, the Privateers will take part in the Maritime Cup at Maine Maritime. Maritime hasn't faced off against the Mariners in the modern era and are 1-2-1 against Massachusetts Maritime.
 
Watch the full season preview video below, and for the full 2019 schedule, CLICK HERE!