THROGGS NECK, NY – After leading the Maritime College football team to a thrilling 42-41 win over Worcester State in the season opener on Saturday, two Privateers have been recognized by the New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).  Gianni Spinelli (Holtsville, NY) was chosen as the NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Week, while Dennis Matich (Floral Park, NY) earned NEWMAC Defensive Player of Week honors.

Spinelli had 161 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the victory.  He opened the scoring with a 15-yard TD run to cap Maritime's opening drive, then tied the game at 41-41 with a 10-yard burst midway thru the fourth quarter.  Spinelli also had touchdown carries of six and two yards.  On the Privateers' final drive, he carried seven times and gained three first downs, one of which came on a 3^rd-and-3 and allowed Maritime to run out the clock.  Overall, he ran the ball 29 times while also making two catches for 14 yards.

Matich returned an interception 54 yards to paydirt on Worcester State's first possession, giving the Privateers a 14-0 lead.  It was his first career interception and touchdown, as well as Maritime's first pick-six since 2023.  Matich was also credited with six tackles in the win.

This is the first career NEWMAC weekly award for both players.  The last time a Privateer captured NEWMAC weekly honors, Will Pickett (Offensive), Ryan Costales (Defensive) and Owen Cunningham (Special Teams) swept all three awards on Oct. 14, 2025.

Maritime (1-0), which began the season with a victory for the fourth straight year, hits the road for each of its next two contests.  The Privateers visit Kean (0-1) at 1 p.m. on Saturday.