NEW YORK – On Saturday night, the Maritime College men's soccer team tuned up for the 2023 season with an exhibition game against Virginia Military Institute at Randall's Island, Field 75.  In a contest that was shortened to 75 minutes, the Privateers fell to the Keydets (1-2-0) by a 2-0 count.

Maritime had a scoring chance almost immediately, as Ryan Breaton's (Bayport, NY) attempt was saved just 43 seconds in.  That would prove to be the Privateers' best opportunity of the night, however.  VMI outshot Maritime 9-1 in the opening period, but Augusto Lebron (Valley Stream, NY) made five first-half saves to keep the game scoreless.

After Kevin McManus (Whitestone, NY) nearly got the Privateers on the board in the 60^th minute, the Keydets broke the deadlock when Kyle Grant connected with Yeirin Mejia.  Woongchan Oh then increased VMI's lead to 2-0 in the 69^th minute. 

Zack Murphy preserved the shutout with two saves.  Miles Mitidieri (St. Augustine, FL), meanwhile, recorded one save in 18-plus minutes after relieving Lebron in net for Maritime.

The Privateers officially begin the 2023 campaign on Sunday night, when they travel to SUNY Delhi (0-0-0) at 7 p.m.  It will be the first-ever meeting between the teams.