KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 29, 2026) - The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer team earned its first-ever victory over Farmingdale State, defeating the Rams 1-0 in Skyline Conference action on Tuesday night at Raymond J. Bartoszek Field. The Mariners improved to 3-0-4 (3-0-2 Skyline), while the Rams fell to 5-3-1 (2-1-0 Skyline).
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Farmingdale State generated the first opportunity in the 14th minute when Katelyn Nunziato struck the crossbar. Nunziato threatened again just over a minute later, but junior goalkeeper Eva Fields (Williamsburg, Va.) turned away her attempt to keep the contest scoreless. The Mariners broke through in the 23rd minute when senior Ainsley Carlon (Gilbert, Ariz.) fired the ball into the back of the net off a beautiful full-field free-kick feed from senior Faith Sammons (Aubrey, Texas), giving the hosts a 1-0 advantage. The Rams looked for the equalizer in the 31st minute, but Nunziato sent another attempt wide as USMMA carried its 1-0 lead into halftime. Farmingdale State outshot Merchant Marine 6-1 in the first half.
The Rams continued to apply pressure early in the second half as Fields turned away a header from Maiya Christmas in the 51st minute before denying Nunziato in the 57th minute. The Rams nearly found the equalizer moments later when Taylor Boes' header struck the inside of the crossbar in the 58th minute. Freshman Hailey Catolico (Apex, N.C.) looked to give the Blue and Gray some insurance in the 60th minute, but Farmingdale State goalkeeper Charlotte Hoina made the stop to keep it a 1-0 game.
The Rams kept searching for the tying goal as Nunziato broke free in the 69th minute, but she cranked a right-footed blast wide right. Kayla Mendez nearly tied it up, but her redirect off a cross from Nunziato in the 74th minute just slid wide right. Farmingdale State struck the woodwork for the third time in the contest just one minute later when Riley Febbroriello's attempt off a free kick hit the crossbar. Fields came up with another stop in the 78th minute, turning away a bending shot from Nunziato to preserve the historic 1-0 victory.
Farmingdale State outshot USMMA 17-5 overall and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Fields picked up the victory for the Mariners with her third straight clean sheet and tied a season high with six saves. Hoina made one stop and took the loss for the Rams.
Merchant Marine returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 3, when it hosts Old Westbury in Skyline Conference action at 11 a.m. at Tomb Field. The contest will also serve as Senior Day for the Mariners.
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