The top-seeded Stevenson field hockey team etched its name into program history on Saturday afternoon, capturing the MAC Commonwealth Championship with a thrilling 1–0 victory over No. 3 Messiah — the Mustangs’ first-ever win against the powerhouse Falcons.
The decisive goal came at the 12:54 mark of the first quarter when Hailey Mertz scored off an assist from Kailen Hibshman. Despite being outshot 19–7 overall and 8–3 on goal, the Mustangs’ defense was impenetrable, anchored by goalkeeper Jordan Vradenburgh, who made eight saves to secure the shutout.
Mertz was named the MAC Commonwealth Tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring two goals during the postseason, including the championship-clinching strike.
This victory capped a historic season filled with program firsts — Stevenson’s first No. 1 seed, first time hosting the MAC Commonwealth Championship, first conference title, and first NCAA Tournament appearance. The Mustangs will host their first NCAA tournament game at home against WPI (Worcester Polytechnic Institute), with opening-round play set for Wednesday, November 12 at 4 p.m.
Volleyball Splits Tri-Match, Set to Host MAC Commonwealth Semifinal
The Stevenson women’s volleyball team closed its regular season with a split performance at Thompson Gymnasium on Saturday, sweeping Rutgers–Newark (25–19, 25–14, 25–15) before falling in four sets to host Elizabethtown (24–26, 25–16, 15–25, 21–25).
Against Rutgers–Newark, the Mustangs overcame a slow start with key kills from Rachel Lenz and Sydney Salazar, while Lillianna Hornickle’s service aces and Giulia Viglietta’s steady play at the net guided Stevenson to a 3–0 sweep. Lenz finished with nine kills and seven aces, and Courtney Foose added nine assists and nine digs.
In the second match, Stevenson battled host Elizabethtown in a competitive four-set loss. Lenz and Viglietta each tallied double-digit kills, while Foose dished out 15 assists and the team totaled nine blocks.
Now the No. 2 seed in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament, the Mustangs will host No. 3 Messiah in the Semifinals on Wednesday, November 12, at 7 p.m. in Owings Mills Gymnasium.
Soccer Programs Conclude Historic Seasons in MAC Commonwealth Championship Appearances
Men’s Soccer
The No. 2 Stevenson men’s soccer team capped off a milestone season with a 2–0 loss to top-seeded Messiah in the MAC Commonwealth Championship — marking the Mustangs’ first-ever appearance in the conference title game.
Messiah scored in the 37th minute and added another in the 87th to seal the win. Ellis Amo and Gianfranco Vitella each recorded shots on goal, while goalkeeper Nolen Olson-Warwick made six saves in a standout effort. The defeat concluded a historic 2025 campaign that saw Stevenson reach new heights and establish itself among the league’s elite.
Women’s Soccer
The No. 3 Stevenson women’s soccer team wrapped up a memorable campaign with a 4–0 setback to top-seeded Messiah in the MAC Commonwealth Championship, marking the program’s first title-game appearance since 2014.
The Falcons scored twice in the first half and twice more after the break to claim the crown. Kamille Purcell registered the Mustangs’ lone shot on goal, while Isabella Serano anchored the defense with 13 saves in net.
Despite the loss, the Mustangs’ postseason run was a resounding success — highlighted by their first conference final in over a decade and a resilient, team-first identity that fueled their climb back to championship contention.
Basketball Tips Off with Strong Early Performances
Men’s Basketball
The Stevenson men’s basketball team opened the 2025–26 season with a statement 75–69 win over Goucher on Friday night inside Owings Mills Gymnasium.
Kole Beaman led the Mustangs with 16 points, while Kyle Luddy, Kendall Seguignol, and David Pridgen each added 11. Luddy also pulled down eight rebounds, and Noah Ihezue filled the stat sheet with five assists, four steals, and five points.
The Mustangs forced 20 turnovers, converting them into 30 points, and will host Lebanon Valley in a cross-MAC matchup on Tuesday, November 11, at 7 p.m.
Women’s Basketball
The Stevenson women’s basketball team split its opening weekend at the Rebecca Martin Tip-Off Tournament.
After falling 63–43 at McDaniel in Friday’s opener, the Mustangs bounced back with a 65–50 victory over Juniata on Saturday. Janiya Ennis led the way with 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Anaya Price added 11 and Sanaa Thorne scored 10 en route to All-Tournament Team honors.
Stevenson improved to 1–1 and will face Bridgewater (Va.) on Tuesday, November 18, at 5 p.m.
Swimming Shines on Senior Day and Home Debuts
Men’s Swimming
The Stevenson men’s swimming team celebrated Senior Day with a dominant performance, winning five events in a split decision — topping King’s (Pa.) 141–97 while narrowly falling to Wilkes 127–125.
Senior Brandon Cogdill led the charge, winning three events, including the 100-yard Breaststroke, 200-yard Breaststroke, and as part of the victorious 200-yard Medley Relay team alongside Justin Watts, Zachory Clark, and Jack Mark. Brendan Lach and Clark each added wins, and the Mustangs posted multiple season-best times heading into the Spartan Invitational (Nov. 21–23).
Women’s Swimming
The Stevenson women’s swimming team turned in a stellar showing in its first home meet, sweeping both Wilkes (182–74) and King’s (Pa.) (210–27) while winning 12 of 14 events.
Denise Martinez led the way with three victories, while Charlotte Forte, Eryn O’Brien, Laila Umrani-Sanders, Olivia Jansen, and Sydney Kawana each earned individual wins. The Mustangs capped the meet with a 200-yard Freestyle Relay victory by Sophia Schultze, Kawana, Hailey Buenemann, and Umrani-Sanders.
Ice Hockey: Men’s Team Splits with Alvernia, Women’s Team Battles Hard in Home Series
Men’s Ice Hockey
The Stevenson men’s ice hockey team split its weekend series against Alvernia, falling 2–0 Friday before rebounding with a 5–3 win Saturday night.
In the victory, Caden Smith led the offense with two goals, while Blake Benson, Connor MacDonell, and Matt Yeager each added one. John Musella and Jack Karlsson tallied two assists apiece, and freshman goalie Louis Finnegan made 29 saves in his first collegiate start. The Mustangs improved to 2–2 and will face Misericordia on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Women’s Ice Hockey
The Stevenson women’s ice hockey team dropped both contests of its home weekend series against Alvernia, falling 3–1 on Friday and 4–0 on Saturday.
Carleigh Barwick scored Stevenson’s lone goal of the weekend off assists from Meghan Croyle and Kiana Baker, while goalie Maggie Sehnert totaled 57 saves over two games. Abby Smith led the team with four shots, and Ashlee Morris recorded three blocked shots in Saturday’s matchup. The Mustangs (0–4) return home Friday night to host Hood College at 7 p.m.
From historic championships to standout individual efforts, Stevenson Athletics continues to showcase excellence across every program — with postseason play, national tournaments, and winter seasons now underway.
