LEXINGTON, VA. —  The Catholic men's soccer team picked up a memorable victory on Sunday afternoon at Washington and Lee, erasing a first half deficit and rallying to knock off the third-ranked Generals, 2-1.

Not only was the game itself a thriller for the Cards, but the win marked the first for first year head coach Connor Keenan and the first ranked win for the program since 2012 when they defeated 19th-ranked Scranton, 1-0.

Washington and Lee struck first after a Catholic foul from a few yards outside of the 18-yard box. Lucas Pleasants powered a low ball underneath the Cardinals wall and found the back of the net past a diving keeper to take a 1-0 advantage. 

Much like its season opener, Catholic found its spark offensively in the second half of the contest. After winning the ball in the Generals half, Azaria Tewodros played a beautiful ball through the defense to set up Holden Woodings who chipped a ball over a diving keeper to pull the Cardinals back even at one. 

Catholic capitalized on another opportunity later in the half after Ben Zimmer drew a foul to set up a free kick opportunity in Washington and Lee's half. Hayden Lim lined up over the spot and delivered a perfect ball out in front of goal that Owen Maher headed through the hands of the goalie Will Joseph to give the Cardinals their first lead of the match, 2-1.

Pleasants almost pulled the contest back even in the final minutes with multiple shots on target to put pressure on the Cardinals back line. Owen Allegro was up for the task both times however, coming up with saves on both of those attempts to prevent an equalizer for the Generals and secure a 2-1 win, the first for Catholic on the season. 

Catholic earns a victory in their first ranked match up of the season, after a year where the Cardinals went 0-5 against ranked opponents in 2023.

All four of the Cardinals goals so far this season have come in the second half of their matches. Woodings' goal was the first he has scored while playing for Catholic with the transfer coming in from UNC Greensboro. The sophomore Tewodros, also picked up his first collegiate assist in the equalizing goal. Maher's goal was the fourth of his career and the third time he has had the game winning goal in a match. 

Catholic's next game will come at Carlini field this weekend when they welcome in three teams to play in the Turk Emekli Classic. The Cardinals get another crack at a ranked opponent as they welcome in #13 Cortland on Friday, September 6 with kickoff set for 7 pm.