Springfield, Mass. – September 26, 2026 – Springfield College seniors Mike Mendicino (Pound Ridge, N.Y.) and Nick Gonzalez (Parsipany, N.J.) both received New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) weekly awards for the fourth week of the 2026 season. Mendicino was named Defensive Athlete of the Week, while Gonzalez was named Special Teams Athlete of the Week.
 
Mendicino was the ultimate game-changer in Springfield's matchup with MIT for the first conference game of the season. The Pride were down 13-6 going into the halftime break and then turned over the ball in their first drive of the third quarter. With the Engineers just 29-yards from scoring, Mendicino intercepted a pass that allowed the momentum to shift as Springfield went on a 9 play, 71-yard drive and scored its first touchdown of the game to tie it at 13. After a defensive touchdown and failed two-point conversion gave Springfield a 19-13 lead late in the fourth quarter, MIT marched down the field to get to Springfield's 25-yard line. With less than 40 seconds to play, Mendicino would be the hero again, intercepting a pass which would allow Springfield to get into victory formation and seal the win. Along with the two interceptions, the senior had seven tackles with a team-high six solo tackles.
 
A blocked field goal from Gonzalez would be the difference maker in the Pride's win against MIT in its NEWMAC opener. With MIT on the brink of taking a three point lead, the senior came up clutch to block the field goal attempt and Springfield was able to return it to take a 19-13 lead for the eventual win. Gonzalez also added two tackles on the day.
 
Springfield (3-1, 1-0 NEWMAC) continues conference play on the road against Salve Regina on Saturday at 12:00 pm.
 
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