St. Mary’s City, Md. – A late penalty kick dashed the St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s soccer team’s hopes of extending their two-game unbeaten streak on September 20, 2025, as they fell 3-2 to Bridgewater College in a non-conference match at JLR Stadium. The Seahawks, now 3-4-1, traded early goals with the Eagles (5-1-1) in a high-octane first half, but a decisive call in the final nine minutes sealed their fate in a contest marked by physical play and standout performances.
The game ignited early, with both teams scoring twice within the first 13 minutes. At 2:25, junior forward Franco Reyes of Silver Spring, Maryland, opened the scoring for St. Mary’s. Reyes latched onto a long pass from junior midfielder Tyler Foti of Annandale, Virginia, outmaneuvered Bridgewater’s goalkeeper, and slotted the ball into an open net for his third goal of the season. The Eagles responded swiftly, leveling the score at 2:59 when Anthony Eugenio struck. Eugenio then assisted Cole Dunbar at 7:55, giving Bridgewater a 2-1 lead.
St. Mary’s answered at 12:43, pulling even with a well-executed play. Junior defender Ethan Wright from Columbia, Maryland, found sophomore midfielder Zach Blaum of Richmond, Virginia, on the right side of the box. Blaum chipped a precise cross to the far post, where sophomore forward Nick Haney of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, headed in his team-leading fourth goal. The score remained knotted at 2-2 until the 81st minute, when Bridgewater’s Riley Queen converted a penalty kick after being fouled in the box, securing a 3-2 victory with a shot to the lower right corner.
The match was tightly contested, with St. Mary’s holding a slight 13-12 edge in shots but trailing 9-4 in shots on goal. The Seahawks dominated corner kicks 7-2, showcasing their attacking intent, but faced challenges with discipline, committing 15 fouls compared to Bridgewater’s 10. St. Mary’s also received three yellow cards and one red card, with first-year player Matthew Kuwik of Rockville, Maryland, ejected in the 38th minute, forcing the team to play shorthanded for the fifth time this season. Bridgewater incurred one yellow card.
Sophomore goalkeeper Aiden Peterson of Stafford, Virginia, made a career-high six saves in his second start, anchoring the Seahawks’ defense against Bridgewater’s nine shots on target. For the Eagles, Davis Bashore recorded one save, while Eugenio’s goal and assist powered their offense, extending their unbeaten streak to four games.
St. Mary’s, competing in their second season as an NCAA Division III program in the United East Conference, showed resilience despite the loss. Reyes led with three shots, one on goal, while Blaum fired a game-high five shots. Haney’s header marked his fourth goal in eight games, a bright spot for the Northern High School alumnus. Foti and Wright each contributed assists, reflecting the team’s collaborative attack.
The loss highlights the competitive nature of non-conference play for St. Mary’s, which transitioned to Division III in 2024 after years in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. The United East Conference, spanning Maryland to Massachusetts, emphasizes academic and athletic balance, with no athletic scholarships. The Seahawks’ roster, featuring local talents like Haney, reflects Southern Maryland’s soccer culture, nurtured by programs at schools like Northern and Patuxent High.
Nationally, NCAA Division III men’s soccer includes over 400 programs, with participation up 10 percent since 2015, per the NCAA. St. Mary’s faces a demanding schedule, with 18 games slated through November. Their 3-4-1 record places them mid-pack in the conference, where hitting efficiency and defensive discipline are critical.
The Seahawks next host Salisbury University (3-3-2) on September 24 at 4:30 p.m., followed by Valley Forge (2-5-1) on September 27 at 1 p.m., both at JLR Stadium. Salisbury, a regional rival from the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, drew 1-1 with St. Mary’s in 2024, setting up a contentious rematch. Valley Forge, an early United East opponent, offers a chance to climb the conference standings.
As St. Mary’s regroups, minimizing fouls and capitalizing on set pieces will be key. The Bridgewater loss, though stinging, offers lessons as the Seahawks eye a .500 record in conference play.
