THROGGS NECK, NY - The Maritime College men's soccer team improved to 2-0 in the 2019 season after defeating CCNY 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. The Privateers lone goal come off the foot of Anthony Sblendorio (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) in the 13th minute off a penalty kick.

"Today was a different test for us as we knew it would be," said head coach Dan Gwyther. "I think CCNY really came to play today, mixed it up with us physically, and put our team to the test. I think if we get a second goal it really opens things up, but we created a lot of opportunities today and on another day we get three or four goals out of those plays."

The Privateers put the pressure on the Beavers early on and an attack made by Nicholas Gino (Levittown, NY/General Douglas MacArthur) forced a foul inside the box in the 13th minute. Sblendorio then stepped up to the penalty kick and drilled the ball right past the diving goalie for a quick one goal lead. 

"I was very confident on the first one," said Sblendorio. "I knew exactly where I was going to put the ball, I looked directly in the keeper's eyes and waited for him to move his feet, then I just put it right down the middle."

In a physical game that saw 29 total fouls and three yellow cards, the Privateers defense managed to limit the Beavers chances and hold them to just four shots and zero on goal. On the offensive end, Maritime took eight shots on target, including a few rebounds that nearly made it past the goalie. The Privateers nearly made it a 2-0 lead minutes after Sblendorio's goal when Jerome Eastwood (Houston, Texas/Stratford) perfectly struck a ball from outside the box towards the upper right corner of the goal, but a great play from CCNY's goalie kept the lead at 1-0.

In the second half, both teams continued to push the tempo despite the heat, but Maritime managed seven total shots compared to three from the Beavers. With CCNY trying to find the back of the net and tie the score in the closing minutes, newcomer Denton Henry (Lindenhurst, NY/Jamaica) helped lead the defense to their second straight shutout.

"We learned to work together as a unit, shift together, and step up together," said Henry. "It's a family bond and we just do what we have to do to keep a clean sheet."

The Privateers return to action on Wednesday, Sep. 4 at 7:30 p.m. against York College on Reinhart Field. Following the matchup against the Cardinals, Maritime will travel to Maine for the Maritime Cup on September 7 and 8. Check out the some highlights and the post-game press conference below!