Washington College Shoremen men’s soccer fell to visiting Franklin & Marshall, 2-1, in a Centennial Conference game on Sept. 30, 2026, at Kibler Field at Roy Kirby Jr. Stadium in Chestertown, Maryland. Niland Gallo scored the first goal of his career in the 76th minute, with Tshazi Kamau providing the assist, but Washington College could not complete the comeback.
Franklin & Marshall took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute and carried the advantage into halftime. Nico Palacios scored for the Diplomats with an assist from Nico Gonzalez, and Vahe Kassabian added the second goal in the 53rd minute to make it 2-0.
Niland Gallo Scores First Career Goal
Gallo cut the deficit to one with 14:59 remaining in the second half. He put the rebound of a blocked Kamau shot into the lower-left corner, giving the Washington College Shoremen an opportunity to equalize.
Washington College continued to pressure after the goal. Kamau had another shot blocked, Gallo forced a save in the 80th minute, and the Shoremen earned a corner kick and multiple late free kicks. Tucker Sprano recorded the final Washington College shot with 3:57 remaining, but the attempt went high.
Washington College Creates Early Chances
The Washington College Shoremen generated several opportunities before Franklin & Marshall opened the scoring. Tucker Sprano had a shot blocked in the third minute, Jordan Waiganjo had an attempt blocked in the 14th minute, and Samuel Knauf saw a shot blocked in the 23rd minute.
Gallo put a shot high in the 29th minute. After halftime, Knauf had another shot blocked, while Walker Patino and Simone Perin each sent shots high. Washington College finished with three shots on goal, compared with two for Franklin & Marshall.
Calvin Field played the first half in goal for Washington College and allowed one goal. Hannes Budde played the second half and also allowed one goal.
Washington College Shoremen Record and Next Match
The loss left Washington College at 2-3-5 overall and 0-2-1 in Centennial Conference play. Franklin & Marshall moved to 4-4-1 overall and 1-2-0 in conference play.
Washington College was scheduled to return to action at Haverford College on Oct. 3, 2026, at 3 p.m.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Niland Gallo’s first career goal gave the Washington College Shoremen a late chance after Franklin & Marshall built a two-goal lead. Washington College generated late pressure and finished with three shots on goal, but Franklin & Marshall held on for the Centennial Conference victory.
Source: Original report
