ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – In a commanding display of skill and teamwork, the St. Mary’s College men’s lacrosse team celebrated an 18-6 victory over Southern Virginia University in their season and home opener on Saturday. The Seahawks showcased their dominance on the field, launching their season with a strong statement against the visiting Knights.
The game began with St. Mary’s taking an early lead, marking a 3-0 score as three players, including first-year Declan Horton, found the net for their first goals of 2024. Despite a goal from Southern Virginia’s Michael Brown, the Seahawks’ momentum was unstoppable. The second quarter saw St. Mary’s extend their lead to 9-2 at halftime, largely thanks to the offensive prowess of junior attackman Keegan Preis and sophomore Joshua Martel. Preis handed out six assists throughout the game, while Martel scored four times, demonstrating the depth and versatility of the Seahawks’ attack.
Southern Virginia attempted a comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 9-5, but St. Mary’s quickly regained control. Horton, with his second goal, ignited a 4-0 run for the Seahawks, effectively quashing any hopes of a Southern Virginia resurgence. The game concluded with St. Mary’s on a high note, scoring five consecutive goals and securing an 18-6 win.
Statistically, St. Mary’s outperformed Southern Virginia across the board. The Seahawks had a 64-26 shot advantage and a 43-28 edge in ground balls, a testament to their aggressive play and control of the field. Sophomore Matteo Ciccarello was notable for winning 15-of-27 face-offs, marking a successful first career start.
Several St. Mary’s players kicked off their 2024 season with personal milestones. Martel’s performance was highlighted by his ninth career hat trick, Preis continued his track record of providing crucial assists, and junior midfielder Nate Hochrein scored three goals to achieve his first career hat trick. Contributions also came from across the team, including junior midfielder Jake Levey and senior captain Johnny McGrain, each adding to the scoreline and demonstrating the team’s collective strength.
On the opposing side, Southern Virginia’s efforts were led by Gabe King with two goals and an assist, and goalie Jace Lightfoot, who made 18 stops throughout the game. Despite their efforts, the Knights were unable to overcome St. Mary’s dominance on the field.
Looking ahead, St. Mary’s sets its sights on their next match against Juniata on February 17 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. With a strong start to the season, the Seahawks are poised for continued success and will be a team to watch as the season progresses.
