THROGGS NECK, NY – The Maritime College men's soccer team trailed Merchant Marine 1-0 at halftime on Saturday afternoon.  After the Privateers got an equalizer from Jonathan Toma (Massapequa, NY) early in the second half before George Kanellopoulos (Bayside, NY) scored the game-winner in the 86^th minute to give Maritime (5-2-1, 1-2-1 Skyline) a 2-1 victory over the Mariners (5-3-2, 2-1-1 Skyline) at Reinhart Field.  It was the Privateers' first win against Merchant Marine since 2021.

In the ninth minute, the Mariners nearly opened the scoring when Cal Lutz's shot off a corner kick went past Augusto Lebron (Valley Stream, NY).  The Maritime defense played it off the goal line, however, keeping the game deadlocked.  Merchant Marine broke through for the contest's first goal in the 42^nd minute.  Patrick Novotny streaked down the left side and beat Lebron to the left.

Toma, who was playing in his first game of the season after missing the first seven contests due to injury, leveled the score in the 50^th minute.  Edward Flores Media's (Huntington Station, NY) attempt was saved before Toma put home the rebound to tie it at 1-1.  It remained that way until the 86^th minute, when Kanellopoulos capped a 20-yard run by blasting one past the keeper. 

Lebron (5-2-1) made a late save on Lutz, preserving the 2-1 triumph.  He ended up with seven saves in the win.  Kanellopoulos found the back of the net for the first time since Oct. 5, 2022, and was credited with his first career game-winner.  Toma, meanwhile, notched his sixth career tally.

Merchant Marine goalkeeper Ethan Howell (5-3-2) recorded a pair of saves.  Novoty's goal was his second of the year.

After playing five straight and seven out of eight at home, the Privateers hit the road for their next two and four of their next five.  Maritime begins the stretch with a 6 p.m. matchup at Purchase (4-6-0, 1-3-0 Skyline) on Tuesday.