THROGGS NECK, NY – On the day it honored two classes of seniors, the Maritime College men's soccer team kept its Skyline Conference Tournament hopes alive.  Frank Schmidt (Massapequa Park, NY) scored in the 85^th minute, as the Privateers (7-7-0, 4-6-0 Skyline) closed out their home schedule with a clutch 1-0 victory over Merchant Marine (10-8-0, 7-4-0 Skyline) at Reinhart Field on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the contest, the Privateers honored their 10 seniors, as well as two members of the 2019 Skyline championship team who had their senior season cancelled last year because of the pandemic.  Eight of the seniors also started the game, which was scoreless at halftime.

Both teams had their chances in the first half, but goalkeepers Ryan Mathis (Shrub Oak, NY) and Chase Miller kept the score 0-0.  Mathis continued his brilliant play in the second half, making four saves in the period, including a couple point-blank chances.

After a Mathis save in the 83^rd minute, the Privateers earned a corner kick on the other end.  Thomas Kropp (East Northport, NY) took the corner and sent it into the box.  The ball was headed away by the Merchant Marine defense, but right onto the right foot of Schmidt.  He fired a half-volley from 10 yards out and buried it to put Maritime in front.  It was the Privateers' only shot of the second half.

Schmidt now leads the team with four goals on the season, three of which have been game-winners.  Mathis (1-0-0) was credited with six saves in the victory.  Miller (9-8-0), meanwhile, recorded one save for the Mariners.

Maritime and Yeshiva are level on 12 points with one game remaining on the Privateers' schedule.  However, since Yeshiva, which has three games left, beat Maritime, the Privateers must finish ahead of the Maccabees to claim the sixth and final playoff spot.  Which means Maritime has to beat Farmingdale State (8-5-1, 6-2-1 Skyline) in the regular season finale at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to remain in contention.