THROGGS NECK, NY – The Maritime College football team had its chances against defending Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) champion Anna Maria on Saturday afternoon.  However, four turnovers, including three in the red zone, proved too much to overcome, as the Privateers (1-4, 0-1 ECFC) dropped a 41-20 decision to the Amcats (3-2, 1-1 ECFC) at Reinhart Field.

After Anna Maria scored a touchdown on its opening possession (but missed the extra point), the Privateers put together an impressive first drive of their own.  However, Steven Stassi's (East Islip, NY) pass was intercepted in the end zone and Maritime came away with no points.  With the Amcats pinned deep in their own territory, the Privateers blocked a punt on 4^th-and-2, setting up a short field.  Maritime capitalized on the opportunity, as Stassi's QB keeper from two yards out tied the game before Michael Trupiano (Kings Park, NY) added the extra point to put the Privateers in front 7-6.

Anna Maria needed just four plays to regain the lead, but a 56-yard return by Ian Derda (Guilford, CT) on the ensuing kickoff set the Privateers up again.  Maritime again turned the ball over in the red zone, though, as the Amcats pounced on a Tate Neiderer (Hanover, PA) fumble at the 2-yard-line.

Quarterback Alex Cohen rushed for a 12-yard score to give the Amcats a 20-7 lead with 10:58 to go in the first half, but he drew a 15-yard taunting penalty after the play that was enforced on the kickoff.  Taking over at the Anna Maria 43, Maritime drove down the field in eight plays, capping the scoring march with a 5-yard TD run by Neiderer.  The extra point was no good, however, making it a 20-13 game.  Anna Maria responded with a touchdown on the ensuing drive, though, increasing its cushion to 26-13.

Maritime got the ball back with 3:46 remaining in the first half and put together another solid drive.  The Privateers moved into the red zone again, but again came away without any points, losing a fumble in the end zone.

A 62-yard punt by Trupiano, followed by a three-and-out (with a 15-yard personal foul on the punt) set up Maritime's next score midway through the third quarter.  Taking over at the Anna Maria 30, the Privateers used nine plays to find the end zone, with Stassi's 2-yard scamper cutting the Maritime deficit to 26-20.

However, the Amcats again countered, going on a 14-play, 83-yard drive that was capped by Cohen's 13-yard TD pass to Mark Johnson Morgan.  Anna Maria's two-point conversion was successful, making it a 34-20 game.  The Amcats increased the margin to 41-20 on Devin Tolbert's 5-yard touchdown catch before Maritime closed out the scoring on Stassi's 7-yard pass to Cole Trosclair (Metaire, LA) with 1:28 left. Anna Maria recovered the onside kick and Maritime had no timeouts remaining, allowing the Amcats to take a knee and seal the victory.

Stassi finished 16-for-34 for 201 yards and a touchdown.  He also ran nine times for 24 yards and two scores, and was intercepted twice.  Derda had 10 catches for 146 yards, while Neiderer carried 18 times for 90 yards and a touchdown.  Defensively, the Privateers were led by Sean Hart (Brooklyn, NY), who made 12 tackles in his first game back from injury.  Kevin Wu (Staten Island, NY) had 10 tackles and forced a fumble.

For the Amcats, Cohen was 22-for-31 for 299 yards and four touchdowns.  He was also Anna Maria's leading rusher, carrying 10 times for 83 yards and a score.  Tolbert made eight catches for 124 yards and two TDs, while Kahlil Bowens had 12 rushes for 57 yards and a touchdown.  Sam Jakana paced the defense with a team-high seven tackles while also recording a forced fumble.  Jarred Grant-Spann, meanwhile, forced a pair of Maritime fumbles to go along with six tackles.

Up next for Maritime is a visit to Castleton (2-4, 1-1 ECFC) next Saturday at 12 p.m.  The Privateers earned a 19-16 victory over the Spartans at Reinhart Field last season, but haven't traveled to Castleton since 2018.