Northern Maine Moose Lacrosse and Bridgton Academy are proud to announce that Colton Simoes has committed to join the Maine Maritime Academy Mariners lacrosse program and pursue an engineering degree beginning in the fall.
Simoes will become the first men’s lacrosse player from Aroostook County recruited to play at the collegiate level — a historic milestone for lacrosse in northern Maine.
After a standout career with the Northern Maine Moose Lacrosse/Greater Houlton Christian Academy, Simoes is spending his 2025-26 senior year at Bridgton Academy. The Wolverines’ elite national schedule, college-level coaching and demanding academics are helping elevate his game and prepare him for the rigors of NCAA competition and a top-tier engineering curriculum.
“Bridgton was a game-changer,” said Simoes. “The competition, the structure, and the incredible support — from the coaching and academic staff, are giving me everything I need to take this next step. I’m beyond grateful to the BA family.”
During the recruiting process, Simoes was also pursued by Quincy University (NCAA Division II) in Illinois. In the end, he chose to stay in Maine.
“I have tremendous respect for Quincy and the opportunity to play Division II lacrosse,” Simoes said. “But Maine Maritime’s established engineering programs and established multiple championship lacrosse team was the perfect fit. I’m from Maine — Aroostook County and this state has invested in me since day one. I want to give back to the place that raised me.”
The commitment carries a deeply personal full-circle moment for Simoes.
“When the Northern Maine Moose Lacrosse program was just getting started, Coach Melville of Maine Maritime Academy donated our very first set of helmets,” Simoes reflected. “Now, years later, Coach Melville and the Mariners are giving me this chance to play college lacrosse. It feels like everything has come full circle, and it’s my turn to give back — on the field, in the classroom and honor Maine Maritime Academy’s generosity.”
In an interview Brandon Melville added, “In 2021-2022 our lacrosse program gained momentum and that is due to the talent we recruited.”
Maine Maritime Academy men’s lacrosse won the 2025 North Atlantic Conference Championship, to secure their third title in four years. This earned MMA a trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.
Melville continues, “We have talent right in our backyard. I am pleased to see the growth of lacrosse throughout Maine and now in Aroostook County. To have Colton become the first collegiate men’s lacrosse player from Aroostook County — and to have him do it here at Maine Maritime — makes this moment even more special for our program and for lacrosse in the state of Maine. I look forward to having him work under the guidance of senior faceoff specialist, Bryce Crowell to grow his skills and earn his spot.”
Simoes plans to major in power engineering technology while competing for the Mariners.
