WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University sophomore forward
Xavier De Leon (Methuen, Mass.) capitalized on a miscue just 13 seconds into Sunday's non-conference men's soccer game against the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on a sunny and hot afternoon at Hotchkiss Field.
A Panther defender played the ball back to starting goalkeeper Whitaker Sackman, who attempted to clear it with a kick but missed the ball. De Leon quickly took advantage of the mistake and knocked a low right-footed shot into the empty net near the left post to give Gallaudet an early 1-0 lead.
Pitt.-Bradford (1-1) responded with 15 unanswered goals to defeat the Bison, 15-1.
The Panthers tied the game in the 13th minute on the first of three goals by sophomore midfielder Daniel Hartman and took the lead 92 seconds later. Pitt.-Bradford added goals in the 21st and 23rd minutes to take a 4-1 advantage.
Gallaudet (0-2) suffered another setback in the 25th minute when sophomore goalkeeper
John McCabe (Norwalk, Conn.) was forced to leave the game with an apparent injury. McCabe made two saves before his departure.
First-year defender
Donovan Schneck (Columbus, Ohio) moved into goal for the remainder of the contest while first-year defender
Malcolm Clark Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa.) came off the bench to help fill the void in the field. Schneck made nine saves over the final 65 minutes. Pitt.-Bradford added one goal before halftime to take a 5-1 lead into the break.
The Panthers scored 10 times in the second half and finished the game with a 39-3 advantage in shots, including 26 shots on goal. Gallaudet's goalkeepers combined to make 11 saves.
De Leon accounted for all three of Gallaudet's shots and put two on goal. His final attempt came with 10 seconds remaining but was stopped by Pitt.-Bradford goalkeeper Emil Pacic.
Pitt.-Bradford had 10 different players find the back of the net. Senior forward Bailee Verdill led the Panthers with four goals while Hartman recorded a hat trick.
BISON TRACKS
- De Leon's goal was the first of the 2026 season for Gallaudet and the third of his collegiate career.
- The Bison held a 1-0 lead for nearly 12 minutes before Pitt.-Bradford tied the game at the 12:03 mark.
- Gallaudet has recorded 33 goalkeeper saves through its first two games this season.
UP NEXT
Gallaudet makes the short trip to Arlington, Va., on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to face Marymount (Va.) University (0-2-1) in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. The game will be played at Long Bridge Park, located near Reagan National Airport. The Saints will join Gallaudet in the United East Conference next year as Marymount becomes a full conference member on July 1, 2027.
