WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University sophomore goalkeeper
John McCabe (Norwalk, Conn.) made a career-high 22 saves in the Bison men's soccer team's 2026 season and home opener Friday night against Stevenson University before a supportive and boisterous crowd of more than 155 at Hotchkiss Field.
The start of the game was delayed 45 minutes due to lightning on a humid and muggy night in the nation's capital. Once play got underway, Stevenson (2-0) controlled the offensive tempo en route to a 13-0 victory over Gallaudet (0-1).
McCabe was tested throughout the night as Stevenson fired 52 shots, 35 on goal. His 22 saves surpassed his previous career high of 18 made against Penn St.-Abington on Oct. 7, 2025.
Stevenson scored twice in the opening nine minutes before three goals in less than two minutes increased the Mustang advantage to 5-0. The visitors added two more goals and took a 7-0 lead into halftime.
The Mustangs scored twice in the opening 18 minutes of the second half before Gallaudet held Stevenson scoreless for nearly 18 minutes. Stevenson continued to press offensively in the closing minutes despite its sizable advantage and scored four times in the final 10 minutes, including its 13th and final goal with three seconds remaining.
Sophomore midfielder
Eli Matamoro (Plant City, Fla.) recorded Gallaudet's lone shot in the second half as the Bison also earned one corner kick.
Jaxon Blanco led Stevenson with four goals while Kameron Ross and Blest Dumbuya scored twice apiece. Nico Paz passed out four assists for the Mustangs.
BISON TRACKS
- McCabe's 22 saves established a new career high, surpassing the 18 stops he made against Penn St.-Abington on Oct. 7, 2025.
- This marked the ninth time in McCabe's career that he has recorded 10 or more saves in a game.
- Stevenson's 52 shots were the most allowed by Gallaudet since St. Mary's College of Maryland took 55 shots against the Bison on Sept. 21, 2009.
- Friday marked the 11th meeting between Gallaudet and Stevenson, formerly known as Villa Julie College, since the 1995 season.
- Gallaudet is 2-15-1 in season-opening games since 2006. The Bison won their season openers against Christendom College in 2012 and at the University of Valley Forge in 2022 while tying Christendom in 2015. Gallaudet did not field a men's soccer team in 2013, 2014 and 2020.
UP NEXT
Gallaudet remains home to host the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (0-1) on Sunday, Sept. 6, at noon at Hotchkiss Field.
