The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s soccer team roared onto the United East Conference stage Saturday, September 27, torching the University of Valley Forge with a 5-0 shutout that electrified Jamie L. Roberts Stadium. The Seahawks (4-5-1, 1-0-0 UEC) overwhelmed the Patriots (2-7-1, 0-1-0 UEC) in their first-ever clash, igniting the home crowd with a season-best offensive explosion and a rock-solid defense.
Junior forward Franco Reyes was the spark, setting the turf ablaze with a hand in the first three goals. In the eighth minute, he blasted a rocket past Valley Forge’s keeper, capitalizing on a laser pass from junior defender Ethan Wright to claim the game-winner. By the 13th minute, Reyes turned maestro, threading a perfect assist to junior midfielder Tyler Foti, whose clinical strike made it 2-0. Reyes wasn’t done—four minutes later, he hammered home a feed from junior forward Lucas Evans, his shot ripping through the net like a thunderbolt, pushing the lead to 3-0. Foti kept the fire burning, slotting a fourth goal in the 20th minute off a slick pass from senior captain Ned Schauermann, sending the Seahawks into halftime with a commanding 4-0 edge.
The onslaught continued in the second half as sophomore forward William Marbray unleashed a screamer in the 72nd minute, assisted by first-year midfielder Max Schult, sealing the 5-0 rout. The Seahawks dominated with a jaw-dropping 37-2 shot advantage, landing 15 on target to Valley Forge’s zero, and racked up a 12-1 edge in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Zack Reed, a Leonardtown native, stood like a fortress, securing his first solo shutout without facing a single shot on goal. Valley Forge’s Jayce Blanton fought bravely in net, making 10 saves, but the Patriots crumbled under St. Mary’s relentless pressure, extending their skid to five games. The match saw 11 fouls—six by the Seahawks—and each team drew a yellow card for heated play.
Nestled along the St. Mary’s River, the college’s 319-acre campus buzzed with energy as fans packed JLR Stadium’s 1,000 seats, their cheers echoing across the historic waterfront. St. Mary’s College, a Division III gem with 1,600 students, blends academic rigor with athletic grit, rooted in its 1840 founding as Maryland’s first public honors college. The Seahawks, who posted a 7-9-2 record in 2024, are building momentum in the United East Conference, which they joined in 2020. Their attack, fueled by 10 players contributing points this season, thrives on teamwork and precision, as Saturday’s rout proved.
St. Mary’s City, a stone’s throw from the Chesapeake Bay, pulses with community pride, amplified by games like this. Local spots like The Rex in Leonardtown buzzed post-game with talk of the Seahawks’ dominance, reflecting the county’s tight-knit sports culture. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources notes the area’s scenic waterways draw visitors, making JLR Stadium a vibrant hub for fans and families.
The Seahawks charge into a packed week, hosting Penn State Brandywine (1-8-0, 0-1-0 UEC) on October 1 at 5 p.m. and Penn State Abington (2-5-3, 1-0-0 UEC) on October 4 at 1 p.m., both at JLR Stadium. With the home crowd roaring, St. Mary’s aims to keep the fire alive in their quest for conference glory.
