The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s soccer team faced a tough challenge on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, dropping a 4-1 decision to The Catholic University of America in a non-conference match at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium in St. Mary’s City. The loss marked the first setback of the 2025 season for the Seahawks (2-1), while the Cardinals (2-0) showcased their offensive prowess in a physical contest that saw St. Mary’s play shorthanded in the final minutes.
Catholic struck early, with Holden Woodings finding the net just 4:14 into the match, setting the tone for a fast-paced first half. The Cardinals doubled their lead at 26:06 when Ben Zimmer converted a pass from Christian Backich, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage. St. Mary’s struggled to generate offense early, with sophomore midfielder Zach Blaum’s shot at 40:03 blocked by Catholic’s defense. Moments later, sophomore forward William Marbray fired a shot that veered left, and the Seahawks went into halftime trailing 2-0.
The second half began with Catholic extending their lead, as Carson Shamoo scored at 46:12 off a feed from Corey Magro, making it 3-0. St. Mary’s responded with a spark in the 63rd minute when sophomore forward Nick Haney, a Chesapeake Beach native, bent a corner kick directly into the goal from the right side, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The goal, Haney’s second of the season, energized the home crowd and showcased the Seahawks’ resilience despite the scoreline.
The match took a turn in the 76th minute when senior defender Xavier Lewis received a red card, forcing St. Mary’s to play with 10 men for the final 14 minutes. The numerical disadvantage made it difficult for the Seahawks to mount a comeback. Junior midfielder Bryce Webster, hailing from Saint Leonard, attempted a shot at 79:26 but missed right. Catholic sealed the victory in the 84th minute when Backich, who also assisted earlier, scored to make it 4-1. Junior goalkeeper Zack Reed, a Leonardtown native, made four saves, including back-to-back stops in a 13-second span, but could not prevent the final goal.
Catholic dominated the stat sheet, outshooting St. Mary’s 16-5, with an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. The Cardinals also held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks. The physical nature of the game was evident, with St. Mary’s committing 22 fouls, earning three yellow cards and one red, while Catholic recorded 17 fouls and two yellows. Christian Backich led the Cardinals with a goal and an assist, while goalkeeper Owen Allegro made one save to secure the win.
For St. Mary’s, the match marked their first meeting with Catholic since 2009, adding a layer of historical significance to the non-conference tilt. Despite the loss, the Seahawks showed flashes of potential, particularly through Haney’s opportunistic goal. The team’s local talent, including players like Haney, Webster, and Reed, reflects the strong community ties that define St. Mary’s College athletics, resonating with Southern Maryland fans who pack Jamie L. Roberts Stadium to cheer on their Seahawks.
The loss comes as St. Mary’s navigates a competitive early-season schedule in the United East Conference. With two wins already under their belt, the Seahawks are poised to rebound as they host the Seahawk Classic this weekend. On September 6, they face Washington College (0-2-0) at 3 p.m., followed by a matchup against Lynchburg (1-0-1) on September 7 at 2 p.m., both at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium. These games offer St. Mary’s a chance to regain momentum on home turf, where local support is a key factor.
