Throggs Neck, NY --- In an offensive showcase featuring over 800 combined yards, it was Maritime that held on for the NEWMAC victory, as the Privateers defeated visiting WPI, 42-35, on Saturday afternoon at Reinhart Field. The loss evens the Engineers' season record to 3-3 (1-2 NEWMAC), while Maritime improves to 4-2 (2-1 NEWMAC).
Trailing 42-28 midway through the fourth quarter, WPI battled back to within one score on a five-yard touchdown pass from Mike Ingraffia (Kings Park, NY) to Josh Castro (Pittsburgh, PA) with 2:55 remaining. However, a final Maritime extended drive ran out the clock, as the Engineers couldn't come up with a big stop to get the ball back.
WPI's offense was paced by Ingraffia who accounted for all five of the Engineers' touchdowns on the day. He threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns while completing 18 of 30 passes and led WPI on the ground on the ground, rushing for 96 yards and a score on 12 carries. Wide receiver Jay Mezzo (Naugatuck, CT) caught five passes for 64 yards, while Aaron Skaling (Bedford, NH) had two receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. Douglas Cain (Holden, MA) and Castro also caught TD passes.
For WPI's defensive unit, Gavin Chieff (Bernardsville, NJ) had a game-high 13 tackles, and Frankie Polito (Shrewsbury, MA) added 12 tackles and a pass breakup. Michael Doherty (Woburn, MA) recorded six tackles, including a sack for a loss of 11 yards.
Maritime quarterback Steven Stassi (East Islip, NY) completed 24 of 35 passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Ian Derda (Guilford, CT) was his primary target, catching seven passes for 84 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Devin Cline (Miller Place, NY) rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries and adding three receptions for 19 yards, including a two-point conversion.
Defensively, Maritime was led by Kevin Wu (Staten Island, NY), who recorded 10 tackles. Jack Kellner (Seaford, NY) added nine tackles, while Dylan Denicker (Queens, NY) contributed five tackles and three pass breakups.
Maritime opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Cline powered into the end zone on a two-yard run, capping an 11-play, 26-yard drive. The extra point attempt was missed, putting the Privateers up 6-0 lead. WPI responded quickly, as Ingraffia broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run, with Brock Dubey (Dudley, MA) adding the extra point to give the Engineers a 7-6 lead after one.
The hosts went back on top early in the second quarter, as Stassi connected with Derda on an eight-yard touchdown pass. Maritime then went for two, with Stassi finding Cline to make it 14-7. WPI then tied the game at 14-14 when Ingraffia hit Skaling on a 48-yard touchdown pass, capping a short three-play, 72-yard drive.
Maritime regained the lead before halftime, as Stassi found Luke Caliendo (North Babylon, NY) for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was missed, giving the Privateers a 20-14 lead at the break.
Early in the third quarter, Cline scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a five-yard run. Maritime successfully converted a two-point attempt, with Pat Quinn (Farmingdale, NY) connecting with Derda, pushing the lead to 28-14. WPI closed the gap to 28-20 when Ingraffia threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Giaimo (Amsterdam, NY). However, Maritime responded quickly, as Stassi connected with Derda for a 35-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter extend the lead to 35-20.
In the fourth quarter, WPI continued to claw back, with Ingraffia throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cain on their first drive, cutting the deficit to 35-27. Maritime again made it a two-score game, however, as Stassi and Derda connected for their third touchdown of the day, a 24-yard strike, making it 42-27 with 9:44 to play.
WPI's final score, the Ingraffia to Castro touchdown, brought the Engineers to within one score, but the Privateers came up with two big first downs on the next drive, running out the clock, to seal the 42-35 victory.
Both teams continue NEWMAC action on Saturday, October 26. WPI hosts Merchant Marine at 2:30pm, while Maritime travels to Cambridge to face MIT at noon.