THROGGS NECK, NY - The Maritime College football team opened the 2019 season with a thrilling comeback against Maine Maritime. The Privateers trailed 21-7 with less than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, but ended up pulling out a 24-21 win behind a 43-yard field goal from Joseph Gagliardi (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Sachem North) as time ran out.

"I'm very proud of the team for battling and pulling out the win today," said head coach Mickey Rehring. "Hats off to coach McKenney and Maine Maritime because they are a much improved team from a year ago. We learned a lot about ourselves and obviously it's easier to take things away from the game after a win."

The game opened up on a strong note for Maritime as they took the opening kickoff and had a 15-play, 80-yard drive for a touchdown. During the drive, the Privateers faced a 4th-and-9 on the Maine 26-yard-line, and Rehring kept the offense on the field. The decision paid off as starting quarterback Robert Wheeler (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan E. Wagner) scrambled out of the pocket after great protection from his offensive line and picked up 16 yards and a first down. Three plays later, Hezekiah Williamson (Albany, NY/Albany) capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

Unfortunately, that was the last time Maritime would find the end zone until the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.

In the second quarter, it was the Mariners turn to put the pressure on offensively as they scored two touchdowns to take a 13-7 lead going into halftime. Both touchdowns were pass plays from Nikolas Moquin to Dominic Casale. With halftime approaching, the Privateers put together one final drive to even the score, but a diving interception in the back of the end zone sealed the 13-7 advantage for Maine heading to the locker rooms.

After a scoreless third quarter from both teams, the Mariners forced, and recovered a crucial fumble with just under 10 minutes remaining in the final quarter of play. Maine wasted no time turning the fumble into points as they drove down the field in three plays and scored a touchdown as well as a two-point conversion to make it a 21-7 lead with 7:37 left to play.

With the momentum completely on the Mariners side, Wheeler helped lead the Privateers down the field to make it a one score game. During the drive, Wheeler completed three passes for 30 yards, and rushed twice for 19 yards. Williamson capped off the three minute drive for Maritime with a one-yard score. On the ensuing drive, senior captain Justin Snuffer (Maple Shade, N.J./Maple Shade) jumped an out route and came up with a massive interception to put the Privateers on the Maine 36-yard line with just under three minutes left to play.

Following the interception, Maritime's drive stalled, but a roughing the passer penalty kept the comeback hopes alive and moved the ball to the 21-yard-line. On second-and-goal from the three-yard-line, the Privateers faked the run and Wheeler found Geni wide open on a slant route in the end zone to tie the game at 21 after the extra point.

The Mariners took over possession with 1:12 on the clock, but the Privateers defense stepped up once again and Jack Lupardo (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) sacked the quarterback on third down to give Maritime a chance to win the game. 

Starting with the ball on Maine's 47-yard-line and 29 seconds left, Wheeler scrambled on back-to-back plays for 21 yards and managed to get out of bounds on both plays. After one attempt at an out route, the Privateers elected to send Gagliardi out for a 43-yard attempt with six seconds on the clock. The reigning first-team all-conference punter from last season, drained the field goal right down the middle in his first collegiate game as the kicker to give the Privateers the 24-21 victory.

"I didn't even look at it after I kicked it to be honest. I just heard the crowd," said Gagliardi. "I never look up because if you miss it's not good."

Maritime out-gained the Mariners on the ground 219 to 61 yards and 367 to 263 overall. Wheeler led the offense with 148 yards passing and 109 yards rushing. Williamson carried the ball 14 times for 83 yards, while Christian Judge (Springfield Gardens, N.Y./Springfield Gardens) and Geni tallied 52 and 49 yards, respectively. 

Defensively, senior captain Liam Bailey (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) led the way with seven total tackles and one tackle for loss. Salvatore Escaldi (Farmingville, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) and Hanley were right behind him with five and four tackles, respectively. 

The incredible comeback win marked the first win of Coach Rehring's career as a head coach. "It feels great, but it's not about me, it's about Maritime being 1-0 and that's the biggest thing," said Rehring. 

The Privateers will look to back up their opening week win on Friday, September 13 at Massachusetts Maritime in the Chowder Bowl. To see the post-game press conference and highlights from the win, look below!