The St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) men’s soccer team secured its first regional ranking of the 2024 season, coming in at No. 7 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Region IV poll released Tuesday afternoon. This recognition caps a strong regular season for the Seahawks, who now shift focus to the upcoming United East Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament as the tournament’s top seed.
The United East Conference saw two of its teams make the Region IV list this week, with Penn State Harrisburg holding the No. 5 spot. St. Mary’s and two other teams entered the rankings for the first time, signaling a competitive landscape for Region IV as the postseason begins.
The Seahawks, holding a 9-6-2 record, earned their No. 1 seed in the United East tournament through consistent play and a seven-game win streak that extends into Saturday’s quarterfinal round. They await the outcome of a first-round matchup between the No. 8 seed Penn State Brandywine and No. 9 seed Notre Dame of Maryland University, with the winner advancing to face SMCM at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Throughout the regular season, St. Mary’s demonstrated strength against both possible quarterfinal opponents. The Seahawks defeated Penn State Brandywine 4-1 on the road on Oct. 12, followed by a decisive 6-3 home win against Notre Dame of Maryland University on Oct. 16. These victories have built momentum for SMCM as they prepare to host the quarterfinal game.
Senior forward Alex Ochman (Rockville, Md./Wootton) emerged as a standout player in recent weeks, playing a crucial role in the Seahawks’ success. Ochman’s performance in the final week of the regular season earned him the United East Offensive Player of the Week honors. He assisted on all three goals during a 3-0 shutout of Rosemont College on Oct. 22 and provided the game-winning assist in a narrow 2-1 comeback win over Saint Elizabeth University on Oct. 26. His efforts this season place him ninth in NCAA Division III for assists, with 11 overall, and 11th in assists per game at 0.69. Sophomore forward Franco Reyes (Silver Spring, Md./Montgomery Blair) also contributed significantly, ranking 50th in Division III with three game-winning goals this season.
The Seahawks’ current form and depth offer an optimistic outlook as they enter postseason play. With a quarterfinal win, SMCM would advance to the tournament’s next round and continue their pursuit of the United East title, aiming to cap their season with further success on the regional stage.
