The Navy men's soccer team made a strong statement in its season opener, defeating Presbyterian 3‑0 in a match that marked the debut of head coach John Hackworth. The victory not only secured the program’s first win under Hackworth but also established an early lead in the all‑time series, now standing at 1‑0.
The breakthrough came after a quiet first half in which the Mids pressed forward but could not find the net. In the second half, Navy erupted with three goals, beginning with a penalty converted by rookie forward Will Smith. Shortly thereafter, Alex Galloway rose to meet a corner from Nick Gallucci and headed the ball past goalkeeper Saed Anabtawi, marking his second career goal.
Midfielder Cohen Nance added his own tally, while veteran defender Stephen Nelson helped orchestrate the attack that led to the penalty. Goalkeeper Sam Clark earned his first collegiate shutout, preserving the clean sheet despite several chances created by Bready Strothkamp, Will Cawlfield and Nate Stewart, who each forced saves from Anabtawi.
A Promising Start
The win sets a positive tone for the Mids, who will look to carry the momentum into upcoming matches and solidify their position early in the season. Head coach John Hackworth praised the collective effort, emphasizing that individual contributions and squad depth were key to the victory.