KINGS POINT, NY – It was the start of a new era for the Maritime College football team on Saturday, as the Privateers played their first-ever New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) game.  Maritime (2-2, 0-1 NEWMAC) had a 19-15 lead late in the first half, but Merchant Marine (3-0, 1-0 NEWMAC) scored just before halftime to go in front, then outscored the Privateers 14-0 over the final 30 minutes of a 36-19 victory at Brooks Stadium.

The windy, rainy conditions had an impact immediately, as Steven Stassi (East Islip, NY) fumbled on 4^th-and-goal from the Merchant Marine 3 on the game's opening possession.  On the Privateers' next drive, a botched snap on a punt gave the ball to the Mariners at the Maritime 1.  Merchant Marine's Ceasar Gonzalez punched it in on the next play, and he also ran for the two-point conversion, putting his team up 8-0.

On the ensuing possession, Maritime immediately struck back.  Stassi connected with Nate Casaburi (Sayville, NY) on a 57-yard completion that moved the Privateers to the Merchant Marine 15, and Stassi found Nick Campo (Staten Island, NY) in the back of the end zone one play later.  Maritime's two-point attempt was no good, though, keeping the Mariners in front, 8-6. 

Another big passing play set up a touchdown on the Privateers' next drive.  Stassi again went deep to Casaburi, and the 41-yard completion gave Maritime a first down at the Merchant Marine 13.  On second down, Stassi saw an open Ian Derda (Guilford, CT) in the end zone.  Derda, who missed the first three games due to injury, gave the Privateers a 12-8 lead with his first touchdown catch of the year. 

After an unsuccessful two-point try by Maritime, Merchant Marine marched 75 yards in 16 plays to go back in front.  The Mariners fumbled on their next possession, and the Privateers took advantage of the short field.  Devin Cline's (Miller Place, NY) five-yard touchdown run made it 19-15 Maritime with 5:06 left until halftime.  Merchant Marine used nearly all of that 5:06, as Gonzalez capped a 16-play, 65-yard drive with a 1-yard TD rush that send the teams into the locker room with the Mariners ahead 22-19.

Merchant Marine received the second half kickoff and kept the ball for 17 plays and 6:09 before Gonzalez was stopped on a 4^th-and-5 on the Maritime 24.  After the Privateers went three-and-out, the Mariners went on another extended drive.  Gonzalez's third touchdown of the day, this time on a 27-yard reception, finished off a nine-play, 63-yard march that extended Merchant Marine's advantage to 29-19.  The Mariners added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to close the scoring in a 36-19 win.

Despite conditions that were not conducive to the passing game, Stassi completed 18-of-33 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.  Cline rushed for 101 yards and a score on 17 carries, and Casaburi had eight catches for 157 receiving yards.  Three different Privateers notched double-digit tackles.  Aidan Griffin (Queens, NY) led the way with 16 tackles, while nine of Dylan Denicker's (Queens, NY) 14 tackles were solo stops.  Justin Goodwin (Levittown, NY) added 12 tackles.

For the Mariners, Gervy Alota was 5-for-10 passing for 69 yards and a touchdown.  He also carried 17 times for 76 yards and two scores.  Gonzalez finished with 132 yards and two touchdowns on 29 rushing attempts to go along with his 27-yard touchdown reception.  Talsen Smith led Merchant Marine with 47 receiving yards on four catches.  Defensively, Chad Hollar paced the Mariners with seven tackles, while Jack Temple and Noah Kunce each had a sack.

Maritime will play three of its next four at home.  The Privateers welcome Norwich (1-3, 0-1 NEWMAC) to Reinhart Field next Saturday at 12 p.m.