FREDERICKSBURG, Va.  — The Catholic men's soccer team kicked off its NCAA Tournament campaign on Saturday afternoon in a neutral site matchup with Ohio Wesleyan. The Cardinals fell in a 2-0 hole early in the second half and despite a goal from Michael Hanlon, Catholic was unable to complete the comeback and fell to the Battling Bishops 2-1 in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Mary Washington. 

The Battling Bishops opened up the scoring in the first half just six minutes into the contest on a cross delivered in by Jaggar Brooks from the right side of the 18-yard box. Franklin Rodriguez was waiting on the end of the cross and beat Owen Allegro to the near post to put Ohio Wesleyan up 1-0.

OWU doubled the lead just 10 minutes into the second half when Rodriguez once again found the back of the net, this time on an assist from Alex Bucher. The goals were the 10th and 11th for Rodriguez this season which leads the Battling Bishops.

The Cardinals seized momentum for the first time in the match 10 minutes later after knocking on the door and creating a corner for themselves. Corey Magro played the cross in right in front of goal and Michael Hanlon got just enough on his shot to beat the keeper and pull the Cardinals back within one.

Catholic outshot Ohio Wesleyan 11-4 in the second half and continued to create solid chances but were unable to find the equalizing goal in the remainder of the half. The Cardinals fell 2-1 to the Battling Bishops and had their season come to a close with a 10-6-5 record. 

Hanlon's goal was his second of the season and fourth of his career. He became the seventh Cardinal to record multiple goals on the season. He also scored the 11th goal in program history in the NCAA Tournament and is the 11th different player to have scored in an NCAA contest. 

Magro's assist was his second of the season and brought his season points total to six, which is tied for third-most on the squad. Allegro along with Liam Giblin and Charlie Paparella all played the full 90 minutes in the loss for Catholic. 

Ohio Wesleyan is now 2-0 all-time against Catholic in the NCAA Tournament and are advancing to the Second Round to take on the hosts of the regional, Mary Washington. 

The Cardinals senior class of 14 players finished their careers having made the NCAA Tournament all four years on the squad, while making a Sweet 16 run in 2022 and also bringing home three Landmark Conference Championships to D.C.