KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 23, 2026) - The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer team picked up its first win of the 2026 season, defeating St. Joseph's-Long Island 2-0 in Skyline Conference action on Wednesday night at Raymond J. Bartoszek Field. The Mariners improved to 1-0-4 (1-0-2 Skyline), while the Golden Eagles fell to 3-5-0 (1-2-0 Skyline).
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The Blue and Gray generated the first opportunity of the contest in the seventh minute when freshman Hailey Catolico's (Apex, N.C.) right-footed attempt on net was turned away by St. Joseph's-Long Island goalkeeper Kristin Vahle. Merchant Marine continued to search for the opening goal later in the half as sophomore Sakura Lopez's (San Diego, Calif.) blast from 20 yards out in the 29th minute was denied by Vahle. Junior Lillia Miller (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) also had a great chance in the 36th minute, uncorking a left-footed rocket that Vahle knocked over the crossbar to keep the game scoreless going into the halftime break.
USMMA continued to apply pressure in the second half. Junior Lauren Enterline (Harrisburg, Pa.) sent an attempt high in the 55th minute, then Vahle stonewalled Catolico in the 56th minute. Senior Ainsley Carlon (Gilbert, Ariz.) provided another chance in the 60th minute, but Vahle made another stop to keep the contest 0-0. The Mariners finally broke through in the 76th minute when Catolico found the back of the net with a header off an Enterline corner kick to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage. The Blue and Gray added an insurance tally in the 88th minute as Miller deflected the ball with her left foot into the right pocket of the net off another assist from Enterline on a corner kick to double the lead to 2-0, which held to give the Mariners the victory.
USMMA outshot St. Joseph's-Long Island 19-1 overall, including a 10-0 advantage in shots on goal. The Mariners also controlled the corner kicks 11-1.
Junior goalkeeper Eva Fields (Williamsburg, Va.) recorded her first shutout and victory of the season for the Mariners, while Vahle made eight saves for the Golden Eagles.
Merchant Marine returns to action on Friday, Sept. 25, when they host St. Joseph's-Brooklyn in Skyline Conference action at 7:30 p.m. at Raymond J. Bartoszek Field.
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