AMHERST, Mass. — The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) announced its weekly football award winners today, and Williams kicker Leonardo Maiuolo received the honor for Special Teams Player of the Week following the Ephs' 17-7 victory over Bowdoin in the season opener on Saturday.
Maiuolo played a key role in the battle of field position in a game dominated by the defenses. The senior from San Jose, California, punted five times on the afternoon, averaging 46.6 yards without any return yardage. Three of his boots pinned the Polar Bears inside their own 20, and twice he launched kicks of at least 50 yards with a long of 57 yards to help Williams in the battle for field position. His only punt shorter than 45 yards was a 33-yarder that was fair caught at the Bowdoin 11.
But Maiuolo did more than simply punt. He kicked a field goal on his lone attempt from 20 yards out, giving the Ephs a two-score advantage at 10-0 in the third quarter. He also successfully converted both extra points, the last of which made it a three-score game at 17-0 with under seven minutes to play, essentially sealing the victory.
Earning a place on the NESCAC Honor Roll this week were first-year running back Jack Fabiano and sophomore linebacker Sean Rooney. Fabiano became the first Williams player in over 30 years to rush for 100 yards or more in his collegiate debut, going for 106 on 16 carries (6.6-yard average). Rooney, meanwhile, tied for the team lead with seven tackles (six solo), two going for a loss with a 6-yard sack, plus intercepted a Bowdoin pass at the Eph 2-yard line in the final minute before halftime, preserving the 7-0 lead going into the intermission.
Williams (1-0, 1-0 NESCAC), which opened its season with a victory for the fourth straight year, travels to Colby College (0-1, 0-1 NESCAC) this Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Seaverns Field. The game will be streamed live by NSN on the Colby channel with live stats available through the official website of Williams Athletics, ephsports.williams.edu, courtesy of Colby.
