Alex Galloway’s Hat Trick Not Enough as Navy Men’s Soccer Falls to Loyola 5-4 on Senior Night
By Brian Hradsky
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Loyola Maryland 5, Navy 4.
Alex Galloway delivered a remarkable three-goal performance on Senior Night, but the Navy men’s soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to Loyola Maryland on Saturday, October 24, at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. The Midshipmen overcame a two-goal halftime deficit, scored three times in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and later tied the match with two minutes remaining. However, Loyola’s Tyler Flynn converted a penalty kick with just 18 seconds left to secure the victory for the visiting Greyhounds. The defeat dropped Navy to 4-7-4 overall and 2-4-1 in Patriot League competition, while Loyola improved to 4-9-2 and 3-3-1 in conference play.
The nine-goal contest featured dramatic momentum swings, defensive mistakes and an emotional performance from Galloway, one of seven Navy seniors recognized before kickoff. Freshman Jack Illig contributed three assists, becoming the first Midshipman to accomplish that feat in a match since September 2023. Navy outshot Loyola 16-15 and generated six corner kicks compared with four for the Greyhounds. Despite those advantages, the Midshipmen could not prevent Loyola from scoring three times during the final seven minutes.
Loyola Takes Early Control With Two First-Half Goals
Navy entered Saturday’s contest looking to build momentum in the Patriot League standings while celebrating its senior class. Instead, the Midshipmen encountered immediate trouble when a defensive miscue resulted in an own goal just 2:34 into the match. A failed clearance sent the ball into Navy’s net, handing Loyola an unexpected 1-0 advantage. The early mistake forced the home team to chase the game almost immediately.
The Greyhounds doubled their lead in the 14th minute following a corner kick from Jack Endacott. Jeremiah McGuire redirected the service with a header, allowing Ben Schouten to finish the sequence with another header past Navy goalkeeper Sam Clark. Schouten’s goal at 13:29 gave Loyola a 2-0 advantage and placed the Midshipmen in a difficult position. Navy needed to improve its defensive organization while creating more opportunities in the attacking third.
The Midshipmen gradually began generating pressure as the opening half progressed. Loyola nearly extended its lead in the 33rd minute when Flynn directed a shot toward the Navy goal, but senior captain Nate Stewart cleared the attempt off the goal line. Stewart’s intervention prevented the Greyhounds from building a three-goal advantage before halftime. Navy entered the break trailing 2-0 but remained within reach of a comeback.
Galloway Sparks Remarkable Second-Half Rally
Navy emerged from halftime with renewed urgency and immediately began attacking Loyola’s defense. In the 48th minute, Illig fired an initial shot that a Greyhounds defender stopped on the goal line. Galloway collected the rebound and finished past Loyola goalkeeper Felix Huebner to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The goal energized the Midshipmen and signaled the beginning of a remarkable offensive surge.
Just five minutes later, Navy completed its comeback through Luke Parker. Cohen Nance initiated the attacking sequence with a pass to Illig, who turned and delivered a cross toward Parker. The Navy midfielder struck a low shot from approximately 20 yards that found the inside of the left post. Parker’s goal at 52:12 tied the match at 2-2 and gave the Midshipmen new life.
Navy needed only another two minutes to complete its transformation from trailing by two goals to leading by one. Illig delivered a free kick into the attacking area, where Will Smith headed the ball down toward Galloway. The senior defender connected with a right-footed finish into the right corner of the net at 54:31. Galloway’s second goal gave Navy a 3-2 advantage and completed a three-goal burst in less than eight minutes.
The sudden turnaround demonstrated Navy’s offensive potential under first-year head coach John Hackworth. After struggling to break through Loyola’s defense during the opening half, the Midshipmen found space and converted opportunities with impressive efficiency. Illig played an essential role in the comeback, assisting on all three goals during the decisive stretch. Galloway’s two finishes also highlighted his ability to contribute offensively despite primarily playing as a defender.
Loyola Strikes Twice in Four Minutes to Reclaim Lead
Navy maintained its 3-2 advantage for much of the second half, but the final minutes produced another dramatic reversal. Loyola found an equalizer in the 84th minute when Nick Laffey collected an Endacott clearance near midfield. Laffey advanced past Navy’s defenders before lifting a long shot over Clark, who had moved away from his goal line. The finish at 83:27 tied the contest at 3-3 and shifted momentum back toward the visitors.
The Greyhounds continued attacking and regained the lead in the 87th minute. Nino Venezia delivered a cross into Navy’s penalty area, where a Loyola teammate failed to make contact with the ball. Flynn followed the play and struck a first-time shot past Clark to give Loyola a 4-3 advantage. The goal at 86:49 appeared to put the Greyhounds in position to escape Annapolis with an important conference victory.
Navy refused to surrender, producing another attacking opportunity during the closing minutes. Nick Gallucci nearly equalized, but Loyola’s defense prevented his shot from crossing the goal line. The Midshipmen continued pushing forward as the clock approached 90 minutes. Their persistence created one final opportunity for Galloway to deliver another memorable Senior Night moment.
Galloway Completes Hat Trick With Dramatic Equalizer
With approximately two minutes remaining, Duncan Sullivan sent a cross into the attacking area toward Galloway. The Navy senior controlled the ball and managed to direct a shot toward the left side of the goal while falling. His finish beat Huebner at 88:00, tying the contest at 4-4 and completing an extraordinary individual performance. The goal appeared to rescue Navy from defeat after the Midshipmen had surrendered their earlier lead.
Galloway’s third goal marked Navy’s first hat trick since Jacob Williams scored three times against Army on October 9, 2021. The achievement carried additional significance because Galloway accomplished it during his final regular-season home appearance as part of Navy’s Senior Night celebration. His offensive production also came from an unusual position, as he has primarily served as a defender throughout his collegiate career. Few individual performances could have provided a more memorable contribution to the occasion.
The hat trick also reinforced Galloway’s importance to Navy’s 2026 campaign. Earlier in the season, the senior earned recognition on TopDrawerSoccer’s national Team of the Week following his performances against Presbyterian and Temple. His ability to contribute defensively while producing important goals has made him a valuable member of Hackworth’s squad. Saturday’s three-goal performance added another significant accomplishment to his senior season.
Final-Minute Handball Gives Loyola the Victory
Just when the match appeared headed toward a 4-4 draw, Navy suffered one final defensive setback. Officials called a handball against the Midshipmen inside the penalty area with 18 seconds remaining. The decision awarded Loyola a penalty kick and presented Flynn with an opportunity to win the contest. After nearly 90 minutes of dramatic action, the result came down to a single attempt from the penalty spot.
Flynn stepped forward and converted the penalty at 89:42, sending his shot to the right as Clark moved left. The goal completed Flynn’s two-goal performance and restored Loyola’s lead at 5-4. Navy had almost no time remaining to produce another equalizer. The Greyhounds held on to secure the victory in one of the most dramatic Patriot League matches of the season.
The contest featured 10 yellow cards and 35 combined fouls, reflecting the physical nature of the rivalry. Navy committed 20 fouls compared with 15 for Loyola, while both teams struggled at times to maintain defensive discipline. The closing minutes proved especially costly for the Midshipmen, who conceded three goals after holding a 3-2 advantage. Their inability to protect that lead ultimately overshadowed an otherwise impressive offensive comeback.
Jack Illig Delivers Three-Assists Performance
Although Galloway received most of the attention for his hat trick, Illig delivered an equally important contribution to Navy’s attack. The freshman assisted on each of the Midshipmen’s first three goals, helping transform a two-goal deficit into a one-goal lead. His ability to create scoring opportunities played a central role in Navy’s second-half resurgence. Illig became the first Navy player to record three assists in a match since David Jackson accomplished the feat against Howard on September 1, 2023.
Illig has now recorded at least one point in four consecutive Patriot League matches. That consistency represents an encouraging development for a young player competing in a demanding conference environment. His combination of passing ability, attacking awareness and confidence has provided Navy with another offensive option. Saturday’s performance demonstrated how important he could become as the Midshipmen continue developing under Hackworth.
Navy also received a goal from Parker and assists from Smith, Nance, Sullivan and Keane Brown. The contributions reflected an attacking unit capable of generating opportunities through multiple combinations. Navy finished with eight shots on goal compared with seven for Loyola. However, the Greyhounds made better use of their decisive late opportunities.
Navy’s Offensive Improvement Continues Despite Defeat
Saturday’s four-goal performance continued a notable offensive trend for the Midshipmen. Navy has now scored four goals in three of its last four matches, demonstrating significant attacking potential as the regular season approaches its conclusion. The team’s ability to produce three goals in fewer than eight minutes against Loyola provided another example of that improvement. However, the loss also exposed defensive problems that must be addressed before Navy’s remaining conference games.
The Midshipmen have struggled to maintain consistency throughout the season, particularly when protecting leads. Saturday’s contest represented an especially frustrating example because Navy successfully erased an early deficit and controlled the scoreboard deep into the second half. Allowing three goals during the final seven minutes prevented the team from collecting a valuable conference result. Those late defensive breakdowns will likely become an important focus during preparations for the next match.
The result also affected Navy’s position in the Patriot League standings. The Midshipmen entered Saturday tied with Loyola in conference points, making the head-to-head meeting particularly important. Loyola’s victory moved the Greyhounds ahead in the race for postseason positioning. Navy must now maximize its remaining opportunities to improve its conference record.
Senior Night Honors Seven Midshipmen
Saturday’s match carried special significance for Navy’s senior class, with seven first-class Midshipmen recognized during the pregame ceremony. The evening provided an opportunity to celebrate their contributions to the Naval Academy and its men’s soccer program. Galloway’s hat trick offered a remarkable individual highlight during the emotional occasion. Unfortunately, the final result prevented the seniors from celebrating a victory in their last regular-season home match.
The senior class has experienced a period of transition within the Navy program, including the arrival of Hackworth as head coach before the 2026 season. The players have helped establish a foundation for the program’s next chapter while competing against challenging nonconference and Patriot League opponents. Their leadership remains important as Navy approaches the final stretch of the regular season. Saturday’s defeat does not diminish their contributions to the team or the Naval Academy.
Brian’s Take: Navy’s Attack Deserved a Better Result
Navy’s 5-4 loss to Loyola might be one of the most frustrating results of its season. The Midshipmen showed tremendous character by overcoming a two-goal halftime deficit and later responding after Loyola reclaimed the lead. Galloway delivered an extraordinary performance that should have been enough to earn at least a draw. Instead, defensive mistakes and a devastating final-minute penalty erased the team’s offensive accomplishments.
Galloway deserves substantial recognition for scoring three goals from his defensive position on Senior Night. His performance demonstrated leadership, determination and an ability to rise to the occasion during an emotional match. Illig also deserves praise for recording three assists and continuing his development as one of Navy’s promising young offensive contributors. Those individual achievements provide reasons for optimism despite the disappointing final score.
The most concerning aspect of Saturday’s defeat was Navy’s inability to close out the match. The Midshipmen held a 3-2 lead entering the final seven minutes but surrendered three goals before the final whistle. That cannot become a recurring pattern if Navy hopes to compete successfully against Patriot League opponents. Stronger defensive communication, better organization and improved discipline will be essential moving forward.
Still, the offensive progress should not be overlooked. Navy has demonstrated an ability to create scoring opportunities and recover from difficult situations, which represents an important part of building a competitive program. The challenge for Hackworth and his staff is finding the balance between aggressive attacking soccer and reliable defensive execution. Saturday showed how entertaining Navy can be when its offense is clicking, but also how quickly mistakes can change a match.
What’s Next for Navy Men’s Soccer?
Navy returns to Patriot League competition Friday, October 30, when the Midshipmen travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to face Bucknell. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Navy’s final regular-season road match. The contest provides another opportunity for the Midshipmen to improve their conference standing and recover from Saturday’s emotional defeat.
Navy enters the final stretch with a 4-7-4 overall record and a 2-4-1 Patriot League mark. The Midshipmen will need to combine their recent offensive improvement with greater defensive consistency to finish the season strongly. Galloway’s historic hat trick and Illig’s three-assist performance provide encouraging signs for the program’s future. However, Saturday’s loss serves as a reminder that even four goals may not be enough when a team cannot protect its lead.
