A historic road trip
The Presbyterian Blue Hose are set to embark on a two‑game road swing through Maryland, opening with a clash against the UMBC Retrievers on Friday, August 28, and concluding with a showdown versus the Navy Midshipmen on Monday, August 31.
Both contests mark the first ever meetings between Presbyterian and the respective opponents, adding a layer of excitement for a program that returned from a 0‑2 start to the season.
Coach Nick Finotti, now in his fourth year at the helm, has assembled a roster that blends 12 returning letterwinners with a fresh influx of 25 newcomers, aiming to translate early‑season promise into tangible results.
Among the standouts, forward Mo Alahmad struck for the team’s opening goal on August 24, finishing with four shots on goal, while midfielder Aiden Burke contributed an assist and sits second on the squad with three attempts.
Goalkeeper Saed Anabtawi has already logged 11 saves this season, providing a steady presence between the posts, and the defensive line features contributors such as Braden Gritz, Aylan Belaid, AJ Acree and Gabriel Leslie, each of whom recorded two shots in the early games.
UMBC arrives after a 3‑2 victory over Loyola (Maryland) last Sunday, carrying a 6‑6‑5 record from the previous campaign, while Navy, with a 3‑8‑7 ledger, most recently fell to UC San Diego before tying San Diego State in a matchup that also involved a trip to San Diego.
The upcoming fixtures will test both the Retrievers and the Midshipmen against a Presbyterian side that has bolstered its schedule with new talent, and the outcomes could shape the early narrative of the season for all three programs.