ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s lacrosse team clinched a resounding 20-4 non-conference victory against Juniata College on Tuesday afternoon. The win marks a strong rebound for the Seahawks, elevating their season record to 2-1.
Sophomore attackman Joshua Martel, hailing from Linthicum, Md., was a standout performer, matching his season-high by netting four goals. Martel’s contribution was pivotal as he opened the scoring, leading the Seahawks to an early 4-0 advantage. Despite a brief rally from Juniata in the latter part of the first quarter, the St. Mary’s College defense was relentless, holding the Eagles scoreless for a significant 27-minute stretch and embarking on a 9-0 scoring spree.
The Seahawks’ defense, led by senior defenseman Bryce Howard of North Beach, Md., was formidable, snagging a game-high eight ground balls. The defensive effort was complemented by an efficient face-off team, with Howard, senior Brandon Dabkowski, and sophomore Nick Machiran combining to win 26 of 28 face-offs, setting a new benchmark for dominance in this aspect of the game.
Juniata struggled to find its footing, committing 23 turnovers and being outshot by a wide margin of 66-27. Ryan Madison, Juniata’s goalkeeper, made a valiant effort with 22 saves, but the offensive onslaught from St. Mary’s College was relentless.
The Seahawks’ offense was a collective effort with junior attackman Keegan Preis contributing to six goals, and senior Billy Higgins and junior Aiden Doyle each completing hat tricks. Doyle’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he returned to play after a 332-day absence, contributing significantly in his limited minutes on the field.
Fifth-year goalkeeper Ben Robertson was a stalwart in goal for St. Mary’s, recording nine saves and providing the backbone needed for such a decisive victory.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are set to face Hampden-Sydney on March 2nd at JLR Stadium in St. Mary’s City, Md. The upcoming match promises to be a test of the team’s momentum as they face a Hampden-Sydney team with a 4-1 record. With their latest performance, St. Mary’s College of Maryland has set a high bar for the season, showcasing their potential as a formidable force in men’s lacrosse.
