THROGGS NECK, NY – On Tuesday, in a battle for first place in the Skyline Conference, the Maritime College women's lacrosse team trailed Merchant Marine 9-6 after three quarters.  The Privateers (10-2, 5-0 Skyline) scored three goals early in the fourth quarter to tie the game before Nicole Johnson (Farmingville, NY) put away the game-winner with 9:06 remaining to give Maritime a 10-9 victory over the Mariners (9-2, 5-1 Skyline) at Reinhart Field.

Johnson started the rally with a goal off an assist from Sarah Malone (Land O'Lakes, FL) less than a minute into the final period.  Jenna Lesiewicz (Wading River, NY) then put away a free position shot at the 12:51 mark before assisting on Gabrielle Nicolosi's (West Islip, NY) tally with 10:19 left.

After Johnson gave the Privateers their first lead of the game, the Maritime defense maintained it, holding Merchant Marine scoreless in the fourth quarter.  The Privateers caused three turnovers in the final 15 minutes, while Liz Pomaro (Farmingville, NY) made three fourth-quarter saves.  Merchant Marine had one last chance to tie it after earning a free position chance with three seconds to go, but Gia DiToma (Syracuse, NY) forced a turnover to close out the victory and snap the Mariners' 14-game winning streak against conference opponents.

In addition to scoring three times, Johnson led the Privateers with five ground balls.  She added three draw controls and two caused turnovers.  Nicolosi finished with two goals and four ground balls, while Morgan Tracy (Cambridge, MD) had two goals of her own.  Lesiewicz recorded a goal and four assists to go along with three ground balls, two caused turnovers and two draw controls, and Avery Jillson Neuwirth (Croton-On-Hudson, NY) caused three turnovers while also notching a goal and two assists.  Kathryn Sandford (Floral Park, NY), meanwhile, was credited with three draw controls.  Pomaro (10-2) made a season-high 11 saves in the win.

Merchant Marine posted the first two goals of the game and led 3-1 before tallies by Johnson and Nicolosi drew the Privateers even early in the second quarter.  However, the Mariners closed the second quarter on a 4-1 to open up a 7-4 halftime advantage.  Each team scored twice in the third quarter, giving Merchant Marine a 9-6 lead entering the final period.

The Mariners were led by Lauren Jablonowski's three goals.  She also controlled three draws.  Kaitlyn Latchaw had two goals and two assists, while Julia Coughlin also scored twice.  Jaqui Sheedy paced Merchant Marine with seven draw controls and four caused turnovers to go along with a goal and two assists.  Nicole Nagengast caused three turnovers and collected a team-high four ground balls.  Goalkeeper Amber Heverly (7-2) recorded 11 saves.

With the victory, Maritime now has the inside track for the No. 1 seed in the Skyline Tournament.  The Privateers have three games remaining in the regular season, starting with a 3 p.m. matchup at Mount St. Vincent (2-8, 1-4 Skyline) on Saturday.  Maritime will officially clinch a playoff berth with a win.