Men's Soccer | August 23, 2023

EASTON, Mass. – La Salle men's soccer begins its 2023 campaign on Thursday evening when they travel to take on the Stonehill Skyhawks. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
 
The game will stream on NEC Front Row. Follow the action on X @LaSalle_MSOC and on Instagram @lasalle_msoc.
 
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:

• Head coach Taylor Thames enters his third season at the helm of the Explorers after posting a 5-9-4 overall record, 3-3-2 in conference, in 2022.
• Thames helped La Salle to an A-10 Conference Championship Quarterfinals appearance last season, where the team fell to Duquesne in a close 2-1 loss.
• Junior Giammarco Rodio returns for his second season with the Explorers and looks to build off a successful first year. Rodio played in 18 contests, starting in 9, for La Salle and was third on the team in goals scored with four.
• A mainstay on defense for La Salle last season was Daniel Smith. Smith returns for his sophomore season after appearing in 12 games and assisting on two goals in 2022. One of those assists proved to be critical in a close 2-1 win over St. Bonaventure.
• The Explorers have four goalkeepers all with experience under their belt. Filip Sabatti and Valentin Kneis return for their sophomore seasons after each appearing in nine games for La Salle in 2022. Randy Burkhardt, a sophomore transfer from Coastal Carolina, comes to the Explorers after appearing in four games for the Chanticleers.
• La Salle welcomes nine freshmen to the 2023 team. Kyrese Lynch-Bailey hails from Ontario, Canada and looks to be a reliable offensive piece for the Explorers.
• The Blue & Gold fared well against Stonehill in last season's opener taking the contest 5-3. In the contest, the team notched season highs in goals scored, shots (26), and shots on goal (14).

 
SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS:

• Stonehill College looks to improve upon their 3-12-2 record from the 2022 season.
• Jacob Woznicki returns for his senior season after lead the team in scoring last year with seven goals.
• Ryan Coutu returns to Stonehill after starting ten games between the pipes in 2022. He saved 50 shots, with a .649 save percentage.