A New Era for the Eagles
The American University women's soccer squad will welcome Longwood to Reeves Field on August 23 at 1 p.m., marking the team's first home appearance of the 2026 campaign. The matchup arrives after a three‑game road stretch that produced two narrow defeats and a hard‑fought draw, leaving the Eagles eager to translate early-season lessons into a win on their own turf.
Guiding the team is Phil Casella, who begins his first year as head coach after a successful tenure at Wagner College that culminated in a Northeast Conference Championship in 2025. Casella brings a fresh philosophy and a clear vision for the program, hoping to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor while instilling confidence in a roster that returns several key contributors.
The Eagles' attack will be anchored by co‑captains Bella Miller and Bella Vozar, who have already proven their leadership on the field. Nariah Goldman, the team's leading returning scorer from the 2025 season, adds a potent finishing threat, while freshman goalkeeper Riley Molbury has already logged every minute between the posts, averaging six saves per game and providing stability between the lines.
Across the pitch, Longwood arrives with its own momentum. The Lancers finished the previous season with a 9‑7‑3 overall record and a 5‑3‑0 mark in the Big South, and they will be led by veteran head coach Todd Dyer, a 33‑year stalwart of the program. Freshman midfielder Sam Fischer was recognized as the Big South Freshman of the Year for 2026, underscoring the team's infusion of young talent.
The series between the two schools stands at an even 4‑4‑1, with Longwood holding a 2‑1 edge from the previous year's meeting on their home field. As the Eagles look to break their early‑season winless streak, the game will be streamed live on ESPN+, and fans can secure parking through the PayByPhone app using code 211950.