ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – First-year midfielder
Zach Blaum (Richmond, Va./Atlee) scored both, including a last-minute game-winner, for the St. Mary's College of Maryland men's soccer team Saturday afternoon (Oct. 26) for a triumphant Senior Day. St. Mary's College (9-6-2, 8-0-0 UEC) rallied for a 2-1 United East Conference victory over Saint Elizabeth University (9-6, 6-2 UEC) in the regular-season finale.
The win locked up the No. 1 seed for the Seahawks, marking the second time in program history (and first since 2022) that SMCM has finished as the United East regular-season champions. Additionally, this is the first time in school history that St. Mary's College has put up an undefeated conference record.
The Seahawks, the defending United East champions, earned a first-round bye in the upcoming United East Championship Tournament and will host a quarterfinal round on Saturday, Nov. 2. SMCM will face the winner of No. 8 seed Penn State Brandywine and No. 9 seed Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Prior to the start of the game, St. Mary's College recognized its four seniors – forwards
Abdoul Anounkou (Togo/Springbrook [Md.]) and
Alex Ochman (Rockville, Md./Wootton), captain
Kolton Blackistone (Lusby, Md./Patuxent), and defender
Ryan Barkdoll (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) – for their years of dedication and leadership.
How It Happened
- The first half went scoreless with St. Mary's College doubling up the Eagles, 8-4, in shots but only two of the Seahawks' eight shots were on target and goalie Andrew Gonzalez took care of both.
- Following a scoreless first half, Franco Arteaga handed SEU the first lead of the game with a slow roller into the lower right corner in the 53rd minute.
- Ochman had an opportunity to knot the game at 1-1 in the 76th minute but his penalty kick towards the left side of the goal was punched away by a diving Gonzalez.
- St. Mary's College maintained its offensive pressure and less than two minutes later finally broke through when Blaum put back the rebound of junior midfielder Ned Schauermann's (Edgewater, Md./South River) shot that Gonzalez turned away.
- Blaum's heroics came through in the 89th minute when he headed in Ochman's corner kick for the game-winning goal at 88:56.
Inside the Box Score
- The Seahawks doubled up Saint Elizabeth, 22-11 (11-2 on goal) in shots while notching a 9-2 margin in corner kicks.
- It was a physical and chippy game at times with 12 yellow cards and two red cards being handed out during the game.
St. Mary's College
- This was Blaum's first multiple-goal game of his career.
- Ochman led the Seahawks with five shots (two on goal).
- Sophomore goalie Zack Reed (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) made one save to improve to 3-4 on the season.
Saint Elizabeth
- Arteaga, Eddy Castro, Adrian Gabino, and Marvin Miranda paced the Eagles with two shots each.
- Gonzalez finished the game with nine saves, including seven in the second half.
Up Next for the Seahawks
- Nov. 2 vs. #8 seed Penn State Brandywine/#9 Notre Dame (Md.) – St. Mary's City, Md. (JLR Stadium) – TBD
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