With a spot in the Coastal Athletic Association men’s soccer tournament on the line, William and Mary (7-8-2, 2-4-2 CAA) faced a tough test against No. 20 UNC Wilmington (11-2-2, 7-0-1 CAA) Saturday, Oct. 20 at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field in Williamsburg, Va. The Tribe needed to avoid a loss to secure tournament qualification but ultimately fell to the Seahawks 2-0.
“I just reminded the group that we have had a very good season and persevered through many challenges,” head coach Chris Norris ’95 wrote in a statement to The Flat Hat.
The Tribe entered the matchup at fourth in the CAA South Division, following consecutive losses to Campbell (1-13-2, 1-7 CAA) and UNC Chapel Hill (8-2-5, 3-1-4 ACC). A win or a draw would have pushed William and Mary past Charleston (7-4-5, 2-3-3 CAA), securing the Tribe’s first conference tournament appearance since 2022.
Looking to grab an early lead, William and Mary started on the front foot. In the first 10 minutes, the Tribe successfully worked the ball out wide to the wings, whipping deliveries into the box. The Seahawks, who entered the match tied for third in the CAA in fewest goals allowed, cleared every dangerous ball.
The Tribe failed to test redshirt junior goalkeeper Alex Kron. Seahawks senior forward Grant Stewart cleared the Tribe’s closest initial scoring attempt, a dangerous cross into the box from freshman forward Brown Huffard.
After the Tribe squandered several scoring opportunities in the first 25 minutes, the visitors launched their first true attacking sequences.
In the 28th minute, the Tribe’s postseason hopes took a major blow. William and Mary’s defense failed to stop freshman forward Cameron Keay on the right wing, giving the Seahawks’ most potent attacker the time and space needed to drill a pinpoint cross in the box. Seahawks senior midfielder/forward Bryan Miralrio’s header off the cross put the visitors on the scoreboard.
Just two minutes after the Seahawks took the lead, the Tribe saw a massive opportunity. Huffard evaded multiple UNCW defenders and squared a pass to unmarked junior midfielder Thor Sigurjonsson. Sigurjonsson, however, sent the ball past the right post.
“I think the effect of pressure and stress is most recognizable when players try to avoid being involved in the big moments,” Norris wrote. “We missed some chances today. That happens in our game, but nobody hid.”
After the first half, the Tribe trailed 1-0 despite outshooting the visitors 4-2.
Unlike its aggressive start, the Tribe’s attack was far more muted in the opening stages of the second half.
It took until the 69th minute for the Tribe to record its first shot on target, which Kron easily saved.
The Tribe’s postseason hopes came crashing down for good in the 71st minute when UNCW doubled its lead. After the Tribe’s defense failed to clear a cross in the box, Keay’s shot deflected off sophomore defender Damen Burney for an own goal.
While the Tribe launched a last-ditch comeback attempt, the home team ultimately fell short.
Despite the loss, Norris said he was pleased with his team’s performance.
“UNCW has proven themselves to be a very complete group this year and a legitimate top-25 team,” he wrote. “I thought we outperformed them in most aspects of the game.
