WORCESTER – Junior Luca Cerasani (Abington, MA) was named the Most Valuable Player as the WPI football team earned its first-ever postseason game in the form of a 17-3 triumph over visiting Maritime (NY) in a New England Bowl Series matchup Saturday night in Alumni Stadium.

The Engineers (9-2) also conclude the season with a seven-game winning streak and a tie with the 1992 team (9-2) for most wins in a single season. The Privateers also wrap up their season with a 9-2 record.

Cerasani rolled up seven tackles featuring four for loss and two sacks, and was credited with a pass breakup.

Junior Spencer Herrington (Clearfield, PA), the inaugural NEWMAC Special Teams Athlete of the Year, booted a 22-yard field goal 48 seconds into the second quarter. It was all the Crimson and Gray needed until midway through the fourth quarter. With 2:01 left in the half, Sean McAllen's 10-yard score, along with Herrington's PAT, gave the Engineers the 10-0 advantage. Junior Lain Zembek (Binghamton, NY) plunged into the endzone on a two-yard run with 4:50 remaining in the third.

Senior Matthew Murphy (Seaford, NY) put the Privateers on the board with a field goal with 7:38 to play. He had been successful on a 36 yarder; however, the Engineers were called for a leaping. The guests opted to take the first down and try for more.

Senior Blake Rice (North Branford, CT) threw for 164 yards on 11 completions. Sophomore Connor Field (Granby, CT) led the rushing attack with 65 yard on 14 attempts. Senior Corey Coogan (North Kingstown, RI) totaled 70 yards on two catches.

Junior Thomas Wright (Wantagh, NY) also connected with his receivers 11 times ran 14 times for 28 yards. Junior Curtis Smith (Brooklyn, NY) was the beneficiary of two passes for 35 yards.

Junior Sam Malafronte (Abington, MA) totaled nine tackles, including one for-loss, while classmate Blayne Merchant (Sanderson, FL) added eight. Freshman Lou Duh (Monroe, CT) chipped in with a tackle for-loss. Senior Michael Bahnan (Worcester, MA) returned a pick 68 yards while classmate Lou Garcia (Springfield, MA) and sophomore Sam Casey (Winchester, MA) also hauled in an interception.

Senior Kendal Parker (Evans, GA) and senior Wesley Joseph (Brooklyn, NY) shared game-high honors with 10 stops each. The duo accounted for all five tackles for-loss, including four by Joseph who also recovered a fumble. Senior Nick Conte (Franklin Square, NY) and junior Matt Mavrovich (Port Jefferson Stattion, NY) each came up with an interception while senior Chris Olberding (Dix Hills, NY) added a fumble recovery.

WPI led 277-152 in total offense and 31:04 to 28:56 in time of possession.