MORAGA, Calif. – The Saint Mary’s men’s soccer team recorded its first win of the 2026 season on Thursday, defeating Sacramento State 2-1 for its first home win over the Hornets since 2019. 

First year Gael Andre Insalaco got the scoring started with a cheeky chip from a tight angle down the right side for the team’s first goal of the year. True freshman Brett Seemuller and sophomore forward Henry Beatty combined for the second goal in the 36th minute to double the team’s lead. Sam Bentley was stellar between the pipes, recording a season high six saves and some crucial ones late to help fend off a late surge from Sacramento State. 

Saint Mary’s tallied a season high 13 shots in the win and will look for the weekend sweep and its second win of the season with a road matchup against San Jose State on Sunday. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Saint Mary’s got off to a strong start with several dangerous opportunities early on and finally broke through with a goal in the 28th minute from first-year Gael Andre Insalaco. Insalaco got played in down the right side with a long through ball from outside back Talan Rochelle. The ball seemed to nearly crawl over the end line but Insalaco got a right boot around the ball and chipped it over the closing keeper into the far side netting for his first goal as a Gael. 

Just eight minutes later Saint Mary’s doubled its lead with an own goal forced by the likes of Brett Seemuller and Henry Beatty. Seemuller got down the left side with some nice one-v-one action and crossed a left-footed ball into the feet of Beatty. Beatty was locked and loaded for a shot but a slide tackle from behind would deflect the ball towards goal, sneaking past the Hornets keeper for the own goal. 

Sacramento State recorded ten shots in the second half and even got one back with a goal in the 89th minute but Sam Bentley recorded a season high six saves and some crucial clearances would help seal the 2-1 victory for the Gaels. 90-minute efforts came from the entire backline for the Gaels as they picked up their first home win over Sacramento State since 2019.   

GAME NOTES


Andre Insalaco scored his first goal as a Gael in the 28th minute
Talan Rochelle and Surafel Abebe got credit for assists in the opening goal; the first assist of his career for Abebe and the first as a Gael for Rochelle
Saint Mary’s recorded a season high 13 shots
Sam Bentley finished with a season high six saves and now has 108 saves over his SMC career
The entire SMC backline, Surafel Abebe, Eemil Laamanen, Talan Rochelle and Ryan Firestone, played all 90 minutes
The Gaels got their first home win over the Hornets since 2019
Saint Mary’s also recorded its first home opening victory since a 5-1 rout of Detroit Mercy back in 2023

LOOKING AHEAD

The Gaels will remain in the Bay Area but head south to take on San Jose State to round out week two of the college soccer season. Kick off is slated for 1 p.m. and all the action will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network. 

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