Rob Marchitello, who went almost instantly from unknown to unstoppable last fall at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, tops the list of five MMA players named to the All-New England Football Conference first team.

Coach John Huard was named the NEFC Co-Coach of the Year, along with Brien Cullen of Worcester State, after directing MMA to the best season in the program’s history. The Mariners finished with a 9-1 record and won the ECAC Division III Northeast Championship.

Marchitello, a sophomore from Kirkland, Quebec, headlines MMA’s All-NEFC quintet. He is joined on the first-team offense by junior guard Dennis Damon of Livermore Falls.

Three players were picked for the defensive first team. They are sophomore linebacker Jeff Houghton of Bangor, senior defensive back Jim Blake of Old Orchard Beach and punter Dick Letourneau of Fairfield.

Marchitello took over for injured tailback Kirk Matthieu in the fourth game of the season and became an instant sensation. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder slashed his way to 1,619 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards a carry.

At one point, Marchitello put together five consecutive 200-yard rushing performances to help spark the Mariners to the title.

Damon was one of the catalysts for MMA’s running game. He lent some experience to an offensive line that had been seriously depleted by graduation and injuries, yet came together superbly.

On defense, Houghton finished as the team’s leading tackler from his outside linebacker spot. The hard-hitting was in on 97 tackles.

Blake was MMA’s do-it-all player in the secondary. He was a catalyst, making five interceptions, recovering four fumbles and causing six fumbles. Letourneau was effective as a punter, averaging 35 yards per kick. Usually, he booted the ball high enough for the coverage to get downfield in plenty of time.

MMA’s All-NEFC second-team selections were linemen Shane Wilcher and Letourneau, offensive linemen Scott Cote and Al Fortin, quarterback Shawn Snedden and end Mike Cook. – – –

Postseason awards continue to trickle in for members of the Uniersity of Maine men’s and women’s soccer teams.

Jake Ouimet, a sophomore striker from Hatfield, Mass., has earned All-New England second-team honors for the second straight season. Ouimet, who was named to the Maine Collegiate All-Star Team, scored eight goals and notched 121 assist to lead the Black Bears with 19 points.

Bob Strong of Thomaston and Jeff Hough of Yardley, Pa., also were named to the Maine all-star team, while senior goalkeeper Seb D’Appolonia of Pittsburgh was selected to play in the New England all-star game. – – –

Alex Guiski of Dexter has emerged as a key contributor for the Springfield College basketball team this season.

Guiski, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, has given the Maroons a big lift coming off the bench. He is averaging 10.7 points and 7.2 rebounds, and leads the Northeast-10 Conference with a .674 field-goal percentage.

Guiski, who played only 69 minutes in 11 games last season, had a career-high 19 points recently in an 80-76 loss to Franklin Pierce. Springfield is 4-2. – – –

Ivy Newcomb, a 6-1 freshman center from Perry, has helped spark the Merrimack College women’s basketball team to a 4-2 record as it heads for a five-game swing through Florida.

For her recent efforts, the 6-1 Newcomb was chosen as the Northeast-10 Conference and ECAC Division II Rookie of the Week, averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two victories.

Newcomb, a former standout at Shead High in Eastport, is averaging 13.5 points and 9.0 rebounds for the Warriors this season. – – –

Goalkeeper Allison Snooks of Framingham, Mass., was named the Most Valuable Player of the UMaine women’s soccer team.

The junior holds team records for shutouts in a season (5) and shutouts in a career (8) and owns UM marks for saves in a season (165), saves in a career 310) and season goals-against average (1.99).

Snooks was elected a team co-captain along with Sharon Rothwell of Morrill. Renee Bussell of Kennebunkport was tabbed the team’s leading rookie. Kellie Leeman of Caribou was named the Most Improved Player. – – –

Will Sanborn, the head baseball coach at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, has received the Al Card Sportsmanship Award from the College Baseball Umpires Association of Maine.

Sanborn, heading into his season season as the Monks’ coach, won the honor which is given for professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication. The award is named for Card of Augusta, a longtime umpire in Maine.