Kyle Durham, the Brooklyn-born goalkeeper who backstopped UConn to a strong 2025 campaign, has been tabbed the Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, a testament to his 98 saves and eight clean sheets that placed him among the nation’s most reliable net‑minders.
A New Chapter for UConn Soccer
Coach Chris Gbandi, now in his third year at the helm, guided the Huskies to a 5‑2‑1 league record and a runner‑up finish in the conference tournament, and the team is slated to finish second in the East Division according to the preseason coaches’ poll.
Durham will be joined by a core group of veterans, including defenders Alex Tupay and Johan Hamel, midfielders Max Gummesson and Preston Alessio, and forward Evan Pickering, all of whom will look to build on last season’s momentum.
The Huskies open their 2026 schedule against Syracuse on August 20 at 5:00 p.m. at Morrone Stadium, a match that will test the depth of a roster that returns only one starter from the previous year.