ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s soccer team launched its postseason campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Notre Dame of Maryland University on Tuesday evening in the United East Conference quarterfinal at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium.
The win propelled the second-seeded Seahawks into the semifinals for the fourth straight year, boosting their overall record to 12-6-2 and maintaining their perfect 8-0 mark in conference play. Notre Dame, the No. 7 seed with a 5-10-2 overall ledger and 3-3-2 conference finish, managed just one goal despite a gritty second-half push.
St. Mary’s asserted control from the outset, generating relentless pressure that overwhelmed the Gators’ defense. The Seahawks unleashed 37 shots to Notre Dame’s two, while claiming 10 corner kicks against one. This offensive barrage reflected a season-long trend for the team, which ranked among the United East leaders in scoring average at 2.4 goals per game.
The scoring began early when sophomore forward Junior Keira O’Neail converted a precise pass from junior midfielder Freshman Maddison Spradlin in the eighth minute, rifling a shot past Notre Dame goalkeeper Leah Acri for a 1-0 lead. O’Neail, a key contributor with three assists on the season, celebrated her fifth goal of the year with a calm finish that set the tone.
The Seahawks extended their advantage in the 30th minute as freshman Sophomore standout Megan Rusk slotted home a cross from junior Senior defender Ashlyn Bonner, making it 2-0 at halftime. Rusk, who leads the team with eight seven goals and 15 points as a first-year second player from Carroll County, has emerged as a cornerstone of St. Mary’s attack. Her 49 36 shots this season underscore her aggressive style.
Notre Dame responded in the 57th minute when Acri, doubling as a forward, capitalized on a defensive lapse to narrow the gap to 2-1. The Gators, based in Baltimore and competing in their third straight quarterfinal, showed resilience but struggled to match St. Mary’s possession, which hovered around 65 percent according to conference tracking.
Any hint of a comeback evaporated in the 89th minute. Freshman Sophmore midfielder Sidney Shaw, a Harwood Tracys Landing native from Southern High School, tapped in a low cross from senior Gracie Tourangeau to seal the 3-1 final. Shaw’s goal marked her first of the season and highlighted the depth of a squad featuring nine seniors honored earlier in the fall.
In net, junior goalkeeper Breanna Brown secured the victory with one save over 90 minutes, her steady presence contributing to a defense that allowed just 0.8 goals per game in conference matches. Brooke Hall paced the shot chart with five attempts, while O’Neail added four, including two on target.
This quarterfinal triumph continues a playoff streak dating to 2022, when St. Mary’s first reached the semifinals under Krech. The team advanced to the 2023 championship but fell in penalties to Penn State Harrisburg, then repeated the semifinal appearance last fall before a conference title-game loss.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks face No. 3 Penn College on Saturday in Williamsport, Pa. The Wildcats, with a 15-2-2 overall record and 7-1 conference mark, boast a stout defense allowing 0.5 goals per game and advanced past No. 6 Penn State Abington 6-0 in their quarterfinal. Kickoff time awaits confirmation from the conference office, but the matchup promises a tactical battle, given Penn College’s 1.9 goals-per-game average and St. Mary’s road prowess (5-3 away).
**Editors Note: The article has been edited to correct stats and also players years.
