The 2026 men's soccer season for La Salle University begins with a showdown against Lehigh University, scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
It will mark the fifth meeting between the two programs in just four years and the ninth overall, a rivalry that has produced tightly contested encounters, including a 1‑1 draw the previous season when senior defender Lucas Kelley found the net.
La Salle entered the season after a 4‑5‑8 record a year ago, but the Explorers surged in the final stretch, going unbeaten in their last five games to secure a spot in the Atlantic 10 tournament. The team finished the regular season tied for first in the conference in corner kicks per game and ranked second in shot accuracy, while also placing fifth nationally in that category.
Head coach Shawn McCourt and assistant Louis Beddouri will rely on a blend of experience and youthful talent. Returning seniors such as Alexandru Zama and Pedro Amadou bring depth, while sophomore Julius de Vries, a 2025 Atlantic 10 All‑Rookie Team selection, looks to build on a freshman season that saw him tied for first in goals and second in points. Senior Kyrese Lynch‑Bailey, who contributed three assists and ten shots on goal last year, will also be a key factor.
Key Players to Watch
Julius de Vries will anchor the attack, having finished tied for first in goals as a freshman, while Kyrese Lynch‑Bailey provides experience and versatility in midfield. Defender Lucas Kelley, who scored in the last meeting, anchors a veteran back line alongside Alexandru Zama and Pedro Amadou, both of whom contributed significantly in assists and points last season.
With eleven seniors and three graduate students on the roster, La Salle boasts a strong veteran presence as they aim to extend their A‑10 streak and make another deep run in the conference tournament.