The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s lacrosse team dropped a tight 5-4 decision to The Catholic University of America on March 4 at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium in St. Mary’s City, snapping a two-game win streak and moving to 3-2 overall. The Seahawks controlled ground balls and faceoffs but fell short in a low-scoring defensive struggle against the visiting Cardinals, who improved to 1-3 with their first victory of the season.
Catholic struck late to secure the win, as Alejandro Masferrer scored the game-winner with 2:03 left in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks won the ensuing faceoff but committed a turnover, then forced a Catholic penalty at 1:21 to regain possession. Owen Wynot’s shot at 1:14 was saved by Colton Manorek, and the Cardinals cleared successfully before running out the clock.
Scoring unfolded in bursts across quarters. Gavin McKay gave St. Mary’s a 1-0 lead with 15 seconds left in the first period, but Ryan Carickhoff tied it for Catholic with two seconds remaining. The Cardinals took control in the second quarter with goals from Chris McCabe and Brady McMahon for a 3-1 halftime advantage.
St. Mary’s rallied in the third, tying the game at 3-3 on scores from Owen Wynot and Braeden Colegrove. Catholic regained the lead at 12:41 of the fourth on Steve Dezelic’s goal, but McKay’s second tally four minutes later knotted it again at 4-4 before Masferrer’s decisive strike.
St. Mary’s held edges in ground balls (29-21) and faceoffs (7-6), but Catholic outshot the Seahawks 42-31. Turnovers were close, with St. Mary’s at 26 and Catholic at 25.
McKay led the Seahawks offensively with two goals and one assist. Senior Matteo Ciccarello won 7-of-11 faceoffs and collected four ground balls. Captain Adam Martin anchored defense with career highs of six ground balls and four caused turnovers. Goalie Ty Spencer made 12 saves, added two ground balls, and caused two turnovers.
For Catholic, Dezelic and McCabe each recorded a goal and an assist to pace the attack.
The loss came in a non-conference matchup for the Seahawks, who compete in the United East Conference. St. Mary’s City, historic capital of Maryland and home to the college, provides a scenic backdrop for home games at the stadium named for longtime supporter Jamie L. Roberts.
St. Mary’s next hosts Maritime College on March 7 at 1 p.m. in St. Mary’s City, looking to bounce back and build momentum in the young season.
The game highlighted the competitive nature of Division III lacrosse in the region, where Southern Maryland teams like St. Mary’s often face strong mid-Atlantic opponents. Defensive intensity defined the contest, with both sides limiting high-percentage chances in a contest decided by a single late goal.
