BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott football team lost to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 38-22, on Saturday evening in the New England Bowl at Hempstead Stadium.
With the victory, Merchant Marine tied its program record for wins finishing the 2018 season at 8-2 overall. It also marks the eighth time in program history the Mariners have compiled eight wins in a season (1968, 1976, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2018).
Merchant Marine was led by junior quarterback Krystian Abbott (Lansing, Kan.) who rushed for 109 yards and one score on 25 carries. He also completed six passes on 11 attempts for 97 yards. For his efforts, Abbott was named the New England Bowl Most Outstanding Player.
Meanwhile, Endicott's 2018 season comes to a close at 7-4 overall. Under first-year head coach Paul McGonagle this year, the Gulls finished with a winning record for the first time since 2013 and also made their first playoff appearance since 2013 as well.
Leading 17-14 in the fourth quarter, Merchant Marine scored three unanswered touchdowns to claim all momentum in the contest and come away with the victory.
Endicott made things interesting after falling down early 14-0 by scoring one touchdown in the second and third quarters, respectively, while holding Merchant Marine to just three points (24-yard field goal, 2nd quarter, 10:52) over that same span.
Justin McEwen (Meriden, Conn.) helped cut the Gulls' deficit in half at 14-7 in the second with a 35-yard passing touchdown to junior quarterback Joe Kalosky (Plymouth, Conn.) at 6:54. After giving up a field goal nearly five minutes later, Christian Cole (Goshen, N.Y.) hauled in a catch down the left sideline at 12:31 of the third and took it 43 yards to the house to make it 17-14.
From there, Merchant Marine took over using three separate rushing touchdowns to seal the victory.
FOR ENDICOTT
- Kalosky went 19-for-32 passing to go along with 211 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
- Kalosky's receiving touchdown in the second quarter was the first of his career (second career reception).
- Cole finished the day with seven catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns (43 yards, 12:31, 3rd | 26 yards, 2:25, 4th).
- Hakim Fleming (Bridgeport, Conn.) gained 73 yards on the ground via 13 carries.
- Grayson Maddux (Park City, Utah) registered a career-high 17 tackles (9 solo, 8 assisted) and also recovered a fumble. His previous career-high in tackles was eight (vs. Nichols | September 24, 2016 | 2 solo, 6 assisted).
- William Rivera (Orangeburg, N.Y.), Christian Pizzotti (Melrose, Mass.), Sam Opont (Bridgeport, Conn.), and Allen Gibson (Seymour, Conn.) all compiled at least 10 tackles each. Rivera had 13, while Pizzotti and Opont notched 11, and Gibson rounded out the group with 10.
- Endicott's seven wins this season are the fourth-most in program history.
FOR MERCHANT MARINE
- The Mariners outgained Endicott 559-333.
- Of the 559 yards, 462 of them came on the ground (90 rushing attempts, 5.1 average per rush).
- Merchant Marine won the time of possession battle 41:40-18:20.
- Wiley Martin (Polo, Mo.) racked up 105 yards on the ground on 16 attempts (long 53, 6.6 average).
- The Mariners saw four other student-athletes punch home rushing touchdowns as Joseph Bellomo (Holliston, Mass.), Matt Strong (Pacific, Mo.), Dominic Spadafore (Lodi, Calif.), and James Early (Middletown, Md.) all found the back of the end zone.
- Brooks Cannell (Ambler, Pa.) paced the Merchant Marine defense with a team-high 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assisted).
- Tanner Carter (Columbiana, Ala.) had two interceptions (13 yards) and three tackles (1 solo, 2 assisted).
- Merchant Marine improved to 6-3 overall (6-2 in bowl games, 0-1 NCAA) in postseason play today.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - Nick Grace)
