Navy Men’s Soccer Rallies Twice to Earn 2-2 Draw at San Diego State

Navy men’s soccer showed plenty of fight Sunday afternoon, rallying from deficits twice to earn a 2-2 draw against San Diego State at the SDSU Sports Deck in San Diego.

The Midshipmen moved to 0-1-1 on the young season after getting goals from freshmen Jack Illig and Cohen Nance, while sophomore midfielder Nick Gallucci assisted on both Navy goals.

It was a much-needed response for Navy after opening the regular season with a 7-0 loss at UC San Diego three days earlier.

San Diego State Strikes First

Navy created an early look in the 15th minute when Duncan Sullivan sent a shot wide, but San Diego State gradually began generating pressure.

Navy goalkeeper Dylan Carmody made saves in the 23rd and 25th minutes before the Aztecs finally broke through.

In the 28th minute, Greyson Moreno delivered a cross from near the left end line and Gio Aguirre redirected it past Carmody to give San Diego State a 1-0 lead.

Navy tried to answer before halftime, including a shot from Sullivan in the 32nd minute, but the Midshipmen went into the break trailing 1-0.

Illig Scores Navy’s First Goal of 2026

The Midshipmen came out aggressively in the second half and needed less than three minutes to equalize.

Will Cawlfield played the ball to Gallucci, who sent a long cross into the penalty area. Illig rose to meet it and headed the ball home in the 48th minute.

The goal was the first of Illig’s collegiate career and Navy’s first goal of the 2026 season.

Illig nearly gave Navy the lead in the 67th minute, firing a shot from inside the box that struck the left post.

That missed opportunity proved costly moments later.

Aguirre Puts Aztecs Back Ahead

San Diego State regained the lead in the 71st minute.

Brecken Bowers cleared a loose ball following a Navy corner, setting up a quick counterattack. Kian McCusker carried the play down the right side before crossing to Aguirre, who finished past Carmody for his second goal of the afternoon.

The strike put the Aztecs ahead 2-1.

Navy then faced another challenge when Carmody left the match in the 73rd minute because of an injury.

Freshman Sam Clark entered for his collegiate debut and immediately found himself under pressure.

Clark made a big save on Dylan Presto less than two minutes after entering, helping keep Navy within one goal.

Nance Delivers the Equalizer

Navy’s persistence paid off in the 79th minute.

Captain Nate Stewart won possession off a San Diego State giveaway and moved the ball forward to Gallucci. Gallucci played it into the attacking left corner for Nance.

Nance beat a defender near the corner flag before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Nic Diana and into the left corner.

The goal tied the match at 2-2 and was also Nance’s first collegiate goal. Gallucci picked up his second assist of the game, while Stewart was credited with the secondary assist.

Clark Preserves the Draw

San Diego State continued attacking after Navy tied the match, but Clark delivered several key saves.

He made two stops in a span of roughly 30 seconds following the equalizer and denied Aguirre again in the 85th minute.

Clark finished with four saves over the final 18 minutes, while Carmody recorded three before leaving the match.

Together, Navy’s goalkeepers made seven saves.

Navy Overcomes Statistical Disadvantage

San Diego State controlled much of the shot volume, outshooting Navy 16-6 overall and 9-4 in shots on goal.

Despite that disparity, Navy was efficient with its opportunities.

The Midshipmen scored on two of their four shots on target and finished even with the Aztecs in corner kicks at three apiece.

San Diego State committed 13 fouls, while Navy was whistled for 15.

The ability to battle back twice was the biggest takeaway for Navy head coach John Hackworth.

Hackworth praised the character his team showed after the difficult season-opening loss, noting that the Midshipmen continued fighting despite the heat and being forced to play from behind twice.

Gallucci Emerging as Early Playmaker

Gallucci’s performance was one of the strongest individual efforts of Navy’s opening road trip.

The midfielder assisted on both Midshipmen goals while playing the full 90 minutes in temperatures reported around 95 degrees.

His performance earned him Patriot League Midfielder of the Week honors the following day.

It was also the first multi-assist match of Gallucci’s collegiate career.

Freshmen Make Immediate Impact

Having Illig and Nance score their first collegiate goals in the same match was another encouraging development.

It marked the first time since Oct. 18, 2025 that two Navy freshmen scored their first career goals in the same game. Gallucci and Luke Parker accomplished the feat against Lafayette last season.

For a young Navy team still establishing its identity, getting immediate production from multiple freshmen could be important as the season develops.

Up Next

Navy will return to Annapolis for its 2026 home opener against George Washington on Friday, Aug. 28.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility, with the game available on ESPN+.

After a difficult opening-night loss, Sunday’s comeback draw gave Navy something positive to build on.

The Midshipmen were outshot, trailed twice and lost their starting goalkeeper late in the second half, but still found a way to leave San Diego with a result.

For an early-season road trip, that kind of resilience may prove just as valuable as the point in the standings.