CASTINE--For the first time since 2019, the Maine Maritime Academy football team took Ritchie Field again as a varsity program. Visiting Hartwick College defeated the Mariners, 62-6, in a season-opening game for both teams that was closer than the final score appeared.

Maine Maritime Highlights

• Sophomore Kaden Cadorette led all receivers with seven receptions and he led MMA with 52 yards.
• Freshman running back Auston Harris caught a receiving touchdown.
• The MMA defense came up with six takeaways, including five interceptions--one shy of a school benchmark--to match the most in a game since Oct. 29, 2005, at Westfield State.
• Freshmen defensive backs Lucas Houghton (6 tackles) and James-Boyer Russell (5) had two interceptions apiece. According to available records, they are believed to be the first set of teammates to record multiple interceptions in MMA single-game history.
• Freshman Matt Gagin posted a game-high 10 total tackles (2 solo) and graduate student Jack Mottola added nine (4).
• Freshman Warren Allen punted 10 times for 392 yards, tying a school record in the former and the most yardage since the school record was set in 2007.

Hartwick Highlights

• Carlito Aldamuy hauled in three catches for 127 yards and two TDs.
• Ben Kirkland led the defense with 10 total tackles (3 solo).
• James Sobol threw for 199 yards and three TDs, but he was intercepted four times.
• Carlvin McDonald rushed 20 times for 100 yards.

First Quarter

• Things started well enough for the host Mariners who jumped out to a 6-0 lead on their third series. Senior Dylan Abbott threw a 10-yard TD pass to Harris with 5 minutes and 13 seconds left, capping an eight-play, 37-yard drive that was set up by good field position at the HC 37-yard line.
• But Hartwick responded 17 seconds later in its ensuing drive as James Sobol connected with Aldamuy on a 44-yard TD pass deep left and the extra-point was good to put Hartwick ahead to stay.
• The Hawks led 7-6 after 15 minutes.

Second Quarter

• Hartwick broke the game open with 21 points in the second quarter, including a pair of interception TD returns by Owen Lawler for 78 yards and Michael Vurchio for 39. The visitors led 28-6 going into the locker room.

Third Quarter

• Sobol threw a pair of 50-plus yard TD passes as Hartwick went up 42-6.

Fourth Quarter

• Hartwick scored three TDs 11:48 apart to clinch its first win over MMA in two meetings.
• Most of Hartwick's total yards came in the second half.

Up Next
The Mariners travel to Dudley, Mass., next Saturday to square off against Nichols College for a noon kickoff.