Salisbury, Md. — Sophomore forward Nick Haney netted the game’s only goal in the 15th minute, lifting the St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over York College of Pennsylvania on August 30, 2025. The win kept the Seahawks undefeated at 2-0 for the young season, while the Spartans fell to 0-1-1.
The match, part of the Elmer Lord Memorial Tournament hosted at Salisbury University’s Sea Gull Soccer Stadium, saw St. Mary’s capitalize early on a set piece. Haney, a native of Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County, curled a free kick from just outside the penalty box over the York defensive wall and under the crossbar at the 15:07 mark. The goal came unassisted, marking Haney’s first of the season and proving decisive in a contest dominated by stout defending.
From there, the Seahawks shifted focus to preserving their slim lead. Junior goalkeeper Jordon Eckman anchored the backline, matching his career-high with nine saves, including six in the second half. Eckman, from Fallston in Harford County, faced heavy pressure as York launched 11 shots and earned eight corner kicks after halftime. His performance secured his fourth career shutout, helping St. Mary’s withstand a barrage that included a team-high four shots from York’s Gavin Huey.
York held a slight edge in overall shots, 17-14, and shots on goal, 9-5. The Spartans also dominated corner kicks, 10-0, but failed to convert any into scoring opportunities. St. Mary’s committed 18 fouls, drawing two yellow cards, compared to York’s 12 fouls and one yellow. Spartan goalkeeper Jake Bono made four saves in the loss.
This triumph marked just the 10th win for St. Mary’s in 42 all-time meetings with York, according to historical records from the Seahawks’ athletics department. However, the Seahawks have dominated recent encounters, going 5-0-1 in their last six matchups against the Spartans. The series dates back to 1990, with York holding an overall advantage but unable to solve St. Mary’s defense in this latest chapter.
Haney, a 5-foot-11 sophomore majoring in an undisclosed field, has emerged as a key contributor early in 2025. Through two games, he ranks second on the team with one goal and one assist. In high school at Northern in Owings Mills, Haney earned First Team All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference honors as a junior and senior, playing multiple positions including wing, striker and midfielder. His versatility has translated well to the college level, where he continues to build on a promising freshman campaign.
Eckman, a 6-foot-1 psychology major, has been a reliable presence in net since joining the program. His bio on the official athletics site highlights his discipline and teamwork skills, honed at Loyola Blakefield High School. The shutout against York added to his growing resume, which includes starting roles in prior seasons.
The Seahawks’ strong start follows a successful 2024, where they captured back-to-back United East Conference championships and made NCAA Division III tournament appearances. The program, based in historic St. Mary’s City along the Potomac River, competes in the United East Conference, emphasizing a mix of non-conference challenges and league play. The 2025 schedule, released in July, features 18 games, including home contests at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium.
St. Mary’s opened the season with a win on August 29 against Ursinus College, also at the Elmer Lord Tournament, setting the stage for their defensive masterclass against York. The tournament honors Elmer Lord, a former Salisbury coach, and draws teams from across the region, providing early tests for programs like St. Mary’s.
In recognition of their performances over the opening weekend, Haney and Eckman swept the United East Conference Men’s Soccer Players of the Week awards. Haney earned Offensive Player of the Week for his goal and assist contributions, while Eckman took Defensive Player of the Week honors for his shutouts and saves.
Looking ahead, St. Mary’s faces a busy stretch. On September 2, they travel to Washington, D.C., to face Catholic University at Carlini Field, starting at 7 p.m. The Cardinals enter at 1-0 after an opening win. Then, back home in St. Mary’s City, the Seahawks host Washington College on September 6 at 3 p.m., followed by Lynchburg on September 7 at 2 p.m. Washington College stands at 0-1, while Lynchburg is 1-0.
The Seahawks aim to build on this momentum in pursuit of a third straight conference title. Their defensive resilience, showcased against York, could prove vital in a competitive United East slate that begins later in September.
