NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University football met Anna Maria College for the first time ever and overcame an early deficit to build a 18-point second-half lead and hold on for a 37-34 final in the New England Bowl at Toppa Field. Reserve quarterback Sam Capodice (Berlin, Conn.) took over signal-calling duties in the second half and engineered three touchdown-scoring drives to earn Most Valuable Player Award for the Seahawks.

With the win, the Seahawks reached nine wins in a season for the first time since 2012, finishing (9-2, 6-1 NEWMAC). 

"To hold the No. 5 passing offense in the country to less than 250 yards is great team defensive effort - and to see Sam and Matt (Lavoie) step in and lead the team and carry the ball is great way to finish out an exciting season," said Seahawk head coach Kevin Gilmartin. 

Today was the first ever meeting in football between the two schools who were charter members of the Commonwealth Coast Conference in 1984.

About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with four Associate Members: Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), while sponsoring 20 sports.