The Maritime College men's lacrosse team completed their defense of the 2019 Skyline Conference Championship in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Farmingdale St. 13-12 in the championship game. The Privateers trailed by as much as five goals in the first half, but a found a way to steal the momentum from the Rams and ultimately complete their undefeated season with a one-goal victory.

Both defenses struggled early on to get a stop as the first seven goals of the game came in the opening nine minutes. However, it was the Rams who took the upper hand as they left the first quarter with a 6-2 advantage. Unfortunately, Maritime couldn't bounce back right after the break and Farmingdale took their biggest lead of the game at 7-2. Trailing by five goals with seven minutes left in the half, the Privateers offense finally began to click with three unanswered goals. Jason Corvi (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West), Connor Buschle (Bellport, NY/St. John the Baptist), and Jack Louer (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) found the back of the net to make it a two-goal game. The first goal was assisted by Louer, while Schnell dished out the next two assists.

Although the Rams scored the last goal of the first half, Maritime had started to get the momentum on their side and they were able to dominate the third quarter. Senior captain Bryan Keegan (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) stepped up in a big way as he netted the first three goals of the quarter to tie the game, and then Patrick Schnell (Jericho, NY/Jericho) gave the Privateers their first lead of the game at 9-8 with just over five minutes left to play in the third quarter. Although the Rams even up the score back at nine shortly after, Maritime had completely altered the course of the game and they were able to keep the offense rolling into the fourth quarter with four more unanswered goals.

The Most Oustanding Player of the tournament, Jack Louer (Clifton, NJ/Clifton), stepped up late for Maritime as he scored three of their last four goals, including the eventual game-winner. Also chipping in a huge goal was freshman face-off specialist, Thomas Pellicci (Manorville, NY/Eastport South Manor), who won a face-off and took it right down the middle of the field for a goal. Maritime led 13-9 with 11 minutes left in the game and appeared to be in full control, but the Rams weren't ready to give up just yet and mounted a comeback attempt. The Rams made it a one-goal game with four minutes left to play, but goalkeeper Bryon Rimmer (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) and the Privateers stood strong and didn't give up the game-tying goal.

Rimmer stepped in at goal for Maritime midway through the second quarter and earned the win in goal with eight saves. Offensively, Louer led the way with five points on four goals and one assist, while Keegan tallied four points on four goals. Joe Kiernan (Northport, NY/Northport) and Kieran Hendry (East Northport, NY/Commack) led an impressive defensive effort with four and three caused turnovers, respectively, while Pellicci finished with a team-high seven ground balls. Maritime caused a total of 13 turnovers, while Farmingdale managed just five. Freshman goalkeeper Jack Daresta (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) got the start and totaled six saves in net. Also turning in solid performances was Schnell with three points on one goal and two assists as well as two caused turnovers, Connor Buschle (Bellport, NY/St. John the Baptist) with two goals, and Brian Drost (Shoreham, NY/Shoreham-Wading River) with two assists. 

Maritime will now await the NCAA Selection Show tomorrow at 9 p.m., which can be watched live HERE! Check out the post-game press conference with Keegan, Kevin O'Connor (St. James, N.Y./Smithtown East), and head coach Justin Manjares below!