WASHINGTON  — The Catholic men's soccer team returned to Carlini Field for the first time in the 2025 season to take on St. Mary's (Md.), looking to build off a strong performance in the season opener. The Cardinals offense found the back of the net early in the contest and continued to create solid chances throughout the match to help them cruise to a 4-1 win over the Seahawks. 

After a 15 goal performance last season, Holden Woodings cracked the goal sheet for the first time in his senior season just four minutes into the match. Woodings dribbled through the St. Mary's back line and smashed a shot right past the keeper from the right side of the box to put Catholic ahead 1-0.

The Cardinals lead was doubled 22 minutes later into the half after they won a corner kick from the right side. Christian Backich stepped out to take the kick and delivered a perfect ball into the center of the penalty area that Ben Zimmer got on the other end of, sending it into the back of the net for the second goal of the contest.

The Seahawks only managed two shots in the entire first half, neither of which were on target, and the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

It did not take long for Catholic to take a strangle hold on the match in the second half as just one minute in it found a third goal. Carson Shamoo took a pass from Corey Magro and guided it home to help take a commanding 3-0 lead.

After the Seahawks pulled back within two with a goal off a corner kick, the Cardinals created the dagger goal with just five minutes left in regulation after consecutive chances were spilled back into the penalty area from the keeper. Backich, after having one of his previous shots saved, was in the right spot for a rebound opportunity and found the back of the net for the fourth Catholic goal of the night to help close out a 4-1 victory to move the Cardinals to 2-0 on the young season. 

Woodings' goal in the first half put him one shy of cracking the top 10 in DIII program history for career goals with his career total now sitting at 16. Zimmer's goal was the fifth of his college career after scoring two each of the last two seasons.

Backich and Shamoo each scored the first goals of their collegiate career in the win and Backich also added the first assist of his career. He became the first player for the Cardinals to record a goal and assist in the same game since Woodings did so against Washington College last season. 

Owen Allegro made one save in the match while playing the full 90 minutes in goal while Magro, Charlie Paparella and Graham Leary each joined him playing the full 90.

Next up for the Cardinals is another away match against Desales on Saturday, September 6 at 3 pm at the Desales Soccer Fields.