At Maine Maritime, the football program’s rebuild continues

Maine Maritime Academy’s football team edges close to a win after 43‑game losing streak

The Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) Mariners fell 17‑14 to New England College on Saturday night at Ritchie Field, keeping their 43‑game winless streak intact. For junior linebacker Matt Gagin, the defeat was a reminder of what the program still needs to achieve before he leaves the academy.

Gagin, a Upton, Massachusetts native, said the academy has given him more than the chance to play football. “I’ve crossed the Atlantic five or six times now, and I’ve been all over the world,” he told reporters. “I’ve gotten to see things I never would’ve seen without this school.” Yet he also expressed a longing for something simple: “A win in a football game before I graduate.”

The close score reflected the Mariners’ steady progress since the program was revived in 2023. Their last victory came on Oct. 14, 2017, when they beat the Coast Guard 34‑16—over nine years ago. The team has played only a handful of games since football was reinstated: one in 2023, three in 2024, and a full schedule last season. The hiatus began in 2020 when the academy paused the program amid budget concerns triggered by the COVID‑19 pandemic. A grassroots effort by alumni raised more than $560,000, allowing the team to return to the gridiron.

Head coach Nick Sheehan, who is also a former player, said the squad is building a foundation that will eventually translate into victories. “You can see the improvement, and we’re all aware of it. It’s a tough situation, but the response is encouraging,” he said. “We’re telling recruits that they’re building something at one of the finest engineering schools, and that they can start playing right away.” Sheehan’s recruiting pitch has attracted players like defensive back Lucas Houghton, who said football offers a unique sense of accomplishment. “It’s the best sport because you can feel like you’ve accomplished something as long as you give your best effort,” Houghton told reporters. Houghton led the Mariners with 12 tackles in the loss and said, “In ten years, when I look back and see the program winning, I’ll be proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Athletic director Bill Mottola, the son of the former MMA head coach who led the team from 1968 to 1978, shared the sentiment that a win will come soon. “I know what football players should look like, and I know how the game is supposed to look,” Mottola said. “We’re making progress. It will be sooner rather than later.”

Gagin, who logged ten tackles in Saturday’s game, was quick to note the team’s resilience. “No team in the country has been through what we’ve been through the last three years,” he said. “I just want to keep fighting for these guys.” He also acknowledged that every small victory—like a blocked field goal or a key interception—counts toward the program’s long‑term success.

The Mariners will face Endicott next Saturday at home in an effort to break the losing streak. Whether they can convert the momentum they’ve built into a first win remains to be seen, but the academy’s commitment to rebuilding the program is clear.

Key facts

• Who: Matt Gagin (junior linebacker), Lucas Houghton (junior defensive back), Coach Nick Sheehan, Athletic Director Bill Mottola.
• What: MMA’s football team lost 17‑14 to New England College, extending a 43‑game winless streak.
• When: Saturday night (date not specified but during the 2024 season).
• Where: Ritchie Field, Maine Maritime Academy.
• Why: The program, revived in 2023 after a three‑year pause, is still seeking its first win in years.
• Next game: Home contest against Endicott next Saturday.

The story of Maine Maritime Academy’s football revival is still unfolding, but the commitment of its players and staff signals a future where the Mariners might finally cross the finish line into victory.