
Navy Men’s Soccer Opens Hackworth Era with Convincing 3‑0 Win
The Navy squad posted a 3‑0 victory over Presbyterian in the first match under head coach John Hackworth, showcasing depth and a clean sheet.
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The Navy squad posted a 3‑0 victory over Presbyterian in the first match under head coach John Hackworth, showcasing depth and a clean sheet.

The Navy men's soccer squad fell 2‑0 to George Washington in their season‑opening match at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility, with key saves from goalkeeper Sam Clark unable to spark a comeback.

Nick Gallucci’s standout display against San Diego State earned him the Patriot League Midfielder of the Week award, highlighting a career‑high two‑assist game and setting the stage for an upcoming home clash with George Washington.

A late equalizer by freshman Jack Illig salvages a 2-2 tie for Navy against San Diego State, highlighting debut goals from Illig and Cohen Nance and a standout performance by Nick Gallucci.

The Navy Men's Soccer team opened its 2026 campaign with a pair of matches in San Diego, marking the first time the squad has traveled to California for season‑opening games since 2006. Under new head coach John Hackworth, who brings three decades of experience from Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team, the Midshipmen are looking to translate preseason optimism into results on the field. The roster features a blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent, with senior captain Nate Stewart anchoring the defense alongside returning midfielders Duncan Sullivan and Nick Gallucci, while forwards Gavin McBride and Liam Plum aim to add depth in attack. The team will miss the contributions of four departed starters, including leading scorer Andrew Schug and goalkeeper Robert Eaton, but the coaching staff believes the remaining players are ready to step up. Four current Midshipmen hail from California — Ben Leisegang, Will Boyd, Sam Clark and Yul Hong — giving the squad a familiar connection to the West Coast environment they will encounter in their upcoming fixtures. In addition to the California opponents, Navy will later face George Washington on August 28 at 7:05 p.m., a match that will test the team’s early‑season chemistry. The Midshipmen finished ninth in the Patriot League preseason poll, a respectable position that reflects both the program’s tradition and the challenges ahead. With a historic 70‑20‑15 record in season openers over 105 years, the team hopes to extend its winning streak as it begins the new campaign.

Coach John Hackworth announces six freshmen and key returning players as Navy soccer prepares for the 2026 season.

Coach John Hackworth announced the 2026 season schedule for Navy men's soccer, highlighting an 18‑game campaign, seven home fixtures and a marquee matchup against Army in Philadelphia on Oct. 9.

From a dominant regular season to a dramatic postseason showdown, the Champlain Valley Redhawks showcased resilience, skill, and teamwork, culminating in a close defeat that left fans hopeful for the future.