Two Privateers Earn USILA All-America Honorable Mention Nods

THROGGS NECK, NY – After leading the Maritime College men's lacrosse team to the Skyline Conference championship and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022, two players—Brody Smith (Rehoboth Beach, DE) and Nick Uzakewicz (Hauppauge, NY)—have been named Honorable Mention All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). This marks the first time in program history that two Privateers received All-America selections in the same season.

Smith, the Skyline Co-Defensive Player of the Year, was chosen as a long-stick midfielder. He played in 18 games this season and was usually tasked with marking the opponent's top scoring threat. Smith led the team with 46 caused turnovers, while his 2.56 caused turnovers per game were fourth-most in the conference. He also collected 68 ground balls. Smith had six ground balls and three caused turnovers in the Skyline Championship Game against Merchant Marine, then tallied eight ground balls and three caused turnovers in Maritime's NCAA Tournament matchup with Scranton.

Uzakewicz ranks second nationally with 3.38 assists per game. His school-record 10-assist performance against Purchase on April 25 was one of just 11 double-digit assist outings across all three NCAA divisions this season. He finished the year with 69 assists, a single-season program mark, and 98 points, second-most for a single season in school history. The Skyline Offensive Player of the Year, Uzakewicz scored five goals in the Skyline Championship Game.

"This is an incredible moment for the program," Head Coach Justin Manjares said. "This is the first time we've ever had two All-Americans in the same year. For Brody and Nick to both be selected really speaks to how strong a season they each had. It's a well-deserved honor for both of them."

Players are nominated for USILA honors by their coaches. The USILA All-American Committee then selects the All-America Team from those nominees. Smith and Uzakewicz are the first Privateers to earn All-America recognition since Kieran Hendry also received an honorable mention nod in 2024. Overall, seven players in program history have been honored by the USILA.

Maritime posted a 10-9 record this season, including a 6-1 mark in conference play. The Privateers secured the program's fourth-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament with a thrilling, come-from-behind 14-13 victory over Merchant Marine in the Skyline Championship Game.