ABINGTON, Pa. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland men's soccer team began their United East Conference regular-season title defense Saturday afternoon (Sept. 26). St. Mary's College (3-6-0, 0-1-0 UEC), who finished the 2025 campaign with an 8-0 league record, dropped a tight 2-1 decision to host Penn State Abington (2-4-3, 1-0-0 UEC) to open United East action with a loss.
How It Happened
- The Seahawks were the aggressors in the first half, posting a 9-3 shot advantage as well as a 4-0 margin in corner kicks. However, Abington broke through first as Frankie Rafferty found the back of the net in the 28th minute.
- Four of SMCM's nine first-half shots were on target but Hector Ortiz denied those attempts to send the Nittany Lions into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
- Shane Lachawiec doubled the hosts' lead with his second goal of the season in the 64th minute.
- St. Mary's College got one back late in the game when junior midfielder Zach Blaum (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) picked up his fourth of the year in the 87th minute.
- The Seahawks had one more look at goal in the 89th minute but the shot was wide left.
Inside the Box Score
- SMCM ended the game with a 16-5 shot advantage, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal.
- St. Mary's College also earned a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
St. Mary's College
- Senior captain Braden Kindred (Olney, Md./Sherwood) paced the Seahawks with six shots, including a pair on target.
- Senior captain Zack Reed (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) finished with two saves in his fifth start of the season.
Penn State Abington
- Rafferty led the Nittany Lions with a goal and an assist while Rafferty and Lachawiec each took two shots, which were both on target.
- Ortiz collected six stops in Abington's second win of the season.
- St. Mary's College still holds a commanding lead in the series history, 8-2, but with this win, Abington snapped a three-game skid against the Seahawks.
Up Next for the Seahawks
- Sept. 29 vs. Penn State Harrisburg (2-5-1, 1-0-0 UEC) – St. Mary's City, Md. (JLR Stadium) – 7 pm (Gold Rush)
- Oct. 3 vs. Keystone (3-5-1, 1-0-0 UEC) – St. Mary's City, Md. (JLR Stadium) – 2 pm (Hispanic Heritage Celebration)
Facebook: StMarysAthletics |
Instagram: @smcseahawks, @smcmmsoccer
X (formerly Twitter): @smcseahawks, @SMCM_MSOCCER
Hashtags: #GoSeahawks, #SeahawkPROUD