A New Chapter for the Eagles
The Florida Gulf Coast University men's soccer team will open its 2026 season on Thursday, hosting Georgia Southern in a matchup that promises fresh storylines and a test of depth.
Head coach Oliver Twelvetrees enters his second year after a mass turnover that saw 16 seniors exhaust their eligibility, leaving the program with eight returning veterans and 21 newcomers.
Roster reshaping
Among the returnees, Lucas Barsoe stands out with more than 1,000 minutes of midfield play last season, while Job Choute and Brooks Beeman each contributed a goal and will anchor the attack.
The incoming class brings 21 new faces, including three Power Four transfers — Michael Ndiweni from Ohio State, Marcelo Lacayo from UCF, and Harvey Sellers from Louisville — as well as Aron Martinez, who arrives from Iowa Western College.
New faces
Fourteen international student‑athletes from nine countries join the squad, adding global experience to a roster that includes 13 players from Florida.
Looking ahead
Three players — Job Choute, Jai Sahni, and Eduard Garcia — will compete in their final year of college eligibility, while the team aims to extend its series lead of 2‑1‑1 over Georgia Southern, a record that includes a 2‑0 win in Statesboro last season.
Despite losing 81.3% of the minutes from the previous campaign, the Eagles were preseasoned third in the ASUN Coaches Poll, reflecting both optimism and the challenge of rebuilding.