In a decisive return to form, St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s lacrosse team, led by sophomore attackman Joshua Martel, secured a commanding 16-5 victory against Bridgewater College this Saturday. The non-conference road win, staged in Bridgewater, Virginia, saw Martel tying his career-high with five goals, propelling the Seahawks to a 4-2 season record while pushing Bridgewater to a 3-6 stance.
The Seahawks showcased their dominance early on, unleashing a barrage of goals that left the Eagles trailing. By halftime, St. Mary’s had established a commanding 12-3 lead, courtesy of an aggressive first-half performance that featured back-to-back six-goal quarters. Bridgewater initially took the lead with the first goal of the game at the 9:38 mark, only for St. Mary’s to respond with an overwhelming 10 consecutive goals, solidifying their lead by the second period.
Martel’s standout performance was highlighted in the third quarter when he converted a pass from junior attackman Keegan Preis into the frame’s only goal. The partnership between Martel and Preis was pivotal throughout the match, with each player amassing six points. Preis contributed significantly with one goal and five assists, showcasing the team’s offensive depth.
In the final quarter, St. Mary’s continued to outpace Bridgewater, with Martel netting two additional goals and junior defensive midfielder Quinnten Hatfield scoring his second of the season, rounding off the 16-5 victory.
Statistically, the Seahawks demonstrated superiority by outshooting Bridgewater 45-39 and achieving a remarkable +15 turnover margin. Senior defensemen Brandon Dabkowski and Ethan Little were instrumental in this defensive effort, causing four turnovers each. Despite Bridgewater’s dominance at the face-off X, winning 23 of 25 attempts, their 25 turnovers undermined any potential for a comeback.
Other notable performances for St. Mary’s included first-year Declan Horton, who netted a hat trick, and Ty Grove, making his first career start as goalkeeper. Grove’s 11 saves and seven ground balls were career highs, underscoring the team’s strong defensive play.
For Bridgewater, Drew Huber led with two goals, while Gabriel Alexander was a force on the field, winning 21 of 23 face-offs and collecting 20 ground balls. Goalkeeper Gabe Wallman made 16 saves despite the loss, marking Bridgewater’s fourth consecutive defeat.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are set to face Marymount (Va.) on March 20 in Arlington, Virginia, followed by a home game against Messiah on March 23, which will also serve as High School Night at JLR Stadium in St. Mary’s City, Maryland.
