In a challenging matchup during the Elmer Lord Soccer Tournament hosted by Salisbury University, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s soccer team faced a tough defeat, falling 6-1 to Rowan University this past Saturday. Despite the loss, senior forward Alex Ochman of Rockville, Maryland, scored his first goal of the season, offering a brief highlight for the Seahawks.
The game started unfavorably for St. Mary’s as Rowan quickly took control, scoring two goals within the first 10 minutes through Johnny Troiano and Ryan Cleary. Troiano would go on to be a significant figure in the game, eventually securing a hat trick.
St. Mary’s narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the 15th minute when Ochman capitalized on a well-crafted play. Sophomore midfielder Braden Kindred intercepted a Rowan pass and delivered a perfect slot pass that Ochman converted into a goal in the lower right corner of the net. However, this was as close as the Seahawks would come to mounting a comeback.
Rowan extended their lead further before the halftime break, with Mo Bocher and Troiano (twice) scoring to make it 5-1. In the second half, the Seahawks’ defense, led by sophomore Jordon Eckman, managed to hold Rowan at bay until the final minutes when Andrew Santoro scored the sixth goal for Rowan, sealing their commanding win.
Statistically, Rowan dominated the game, outshooting St. Mary’s 18-6 and managing more on-target attempts. The Seahawks struggled to create opportunities and were also outperformed in corner kicks, with Rowan doubling their total.
Key players for St. Mary’s included Eckman, who made four saves, and sophomore forward Franco Reyes, who led his team with two shots, one on target. For Rowan, Troiano was the standout performer, not only scoring three goals but also leading his team with five shots, four of which were on goal. Goalkeeper Dylan Aportela was rarely tested but did his job when called upon, making one save to help secure the victory.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will hope to bounce back quickly as they continue their season with upcoming home games at JLR Stadium in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. They face off against No. 4 ranked Washington College on September 7 and Dickinson College the following day.
