WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University men's soccer team left it all out on Hotchkiss Field as the Bison played their most inspired game of the season against one of the top teams in the region.

The Bison went toe-to-toe with St. Mary's College of Maryland, the third ranked team from Region IV and received votes in the national Top 25 poll this week, and held the Seahawks scoreless until the 85:42 mark of the United East Conference contest on Wednesday night during Mental Health Awareness Week.

The Seahawks (8-1-4, 5-0 United East) headed home the game-winning goal off a corner kick to survive a scare from the Bison (3-6-1, 1-3 United East) and escape with a 1-0 decision. 

Gallaudet played fantastic throughout and had several opportunities against St. Mary's as the Bison recorded four shots in each half. GU's defense was stout and stepped up against the 10th ranked scoring offense in NCAA Division III. The Seahawks entered averaging 3.25 goals per game and was held to just one goal scored for the fourth time this season. In fact, of St. Mary's eight wins only three have been one-goal games, including tonight's 1-0 game which is the Seahawks' lowest scoring game of the season. 

Sophomore goalie Bode Aggas (West Henrietta, N.Y.) continues to evolve in the keeper position as he made five saves. Aggas, the United East Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, came up huge at the 57:47 mark when St. Mary's was rewarded with a penalty kick. SMCM forward Thomas Williamson took the penalty kick but Aggas made the big save to keep the game scoreless. 

GU's backline defense led by senior AJ Markel (College Park, Md.), junior Jonathon Waterman (Sebastian, Fla.) and junior Kyle Santello (Cooperstown, Md.) played spirited and showed a lot of heart and passion to lead the team alongside Aggas. 

The Seahawks created more shot opportunities in the second half as they tallied 10 shots (five on goal) and took two corner kicks, including the one to set-up the game-winner. Forward Jason Caro took the corner kick and lofted a high pass into the goalie box and found the head of defender Xavier Lewis, who used his tall body, to leap over a Bison defender and knock home the ball into the net, near the back right post. 

BISON TRACKS

• Sophomore forward Mamboh Smith (Silver Spring, Md.) led the Bison with four shots (two on goal)
• Junior midfielder Tristan Torbett (Wilmington, N.C.) recorded three shots (two on goal)
• Prior to the start of the game the two teams came together for a photo to promote Mental Health Awareness Week

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will hit the road this Saturday, Oct. 8, and face conference foe Penn State Harrisburg (5-2-5, 2-0-2 United East) at 3:30 p.m.