Men's Soccer Enters Playoffs as No. 2 Seed Following 2-2 Tie with Farmingdale St

The Maritime College men's soccer team will host a semifinal playoff game on Wednesday, Oct. 31 as they have locked up the No. 2 seed for the Skyline Conference championships. The Privateers capped off their season with a 2-2 tie against Farmingdale St. on Wednesday night at home to finish the season at 7-2-1 overall in conference play. The high octane Maritime offense got the game started in the 22nd minute off the foot of Neil Dillon (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park). Dillon one-timed a cross from Anthony Palazzolo(Huntington Station, N.Y./Walt Whitman) and sent a rocket into the lower right corner to give the Privateers an early 1-0 advantage. However, the Rams were able to answer right back and put in two goals of their own in the following 20 minutes of play. The first goal came off a 30-yard shot into the lower right corner and the second goal was off a rebound from a blocked shot. The two goals demoralized Maritime heading into halftime trailing by a goal for the first time this season at home. The Privateers were able to regroup and respond in the second half however, as they turned to senior midfielder Parker Gallt (Las Vegas, Nev./Plainfield South (Ill.)). Jerome Eastwood (Houston, Texas/Stratford) stepped up to take a free kick from the left sideline nearly 40 yards away and sent a perfect ball into the middle of the box. James Roland (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe)was able to get his head to the ball first and flick it to the back post where Gallt sprinted in for a diving header to tie up the game at 2-2. Maritime had a great chance to win the game as time expired after a free kick was sent into the box and Anthony Sblendorio (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) tried to sneak a header into the right side of the net, but missed just wide with four seconds remaining. The overtime periods were led by strong defensive play as neither team showed signs of breaking down. The Privateers held the shot advantage 2-1 in overtime, but had it's best chance at a goal taken away by an offsides call. After 110 minutes of play, the game came to an end with a 2-2 tie. Alec Wurtz (Huntington Station, N.Y./Walt Whitman) notched his first start in goal for Maritime and finished with four saves. The Privateers will take on the winner of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 matchup, which will be played on Sunday, Oct. 28. Be sure to head to Reinhart Field on Wed. Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. to watch the men's soccer team in some playoff action!