The 2019 Lancaster Bible College men's soccer season begins Friday, August 30, as the Chargers host Waynesburg at 4:15 p.m. Below is a preview of the upcoming season, and you can also listen to Head Coach Ally Long discuss the 2019 season on the Horse with No Name Podcast.
 
Head Coach: Tom Ardt (9th Season, 79-78-16, .503 winning percentage)
Assistant Coaches: John Reagan Moore, Spencer Lockard, Ivan Correa, Josue Bosque
 
2018 Postseason: Defeated Penn College, 4-1 in NEAC Semifinals, before falling to Penn St. Abington, 2-1 in the NEAC Final...Chargers lost to Grace (Ind.), 3-2 in the NCCAA Division I Midwest Region Final, but earned an at-large bit to the NCCAA Division I National Tournament for the first time in school history...Lancaster Bible lost to top-seeded Southwestern Christian (Okla.), 2-0, and sixth-seeded Judson (Ill.), 2-1 in pool play at the NCCAA Division I National Tournament.
 
Returners
Seniors: Josh Marcroft (D), Dan Bewersdorff (M), Kenny Akselsen (M), Estiven Saldarriaga (M), Joel Hughes (M), Chad Tolson (M), Caleb Nelson (F), Tommy Croke (M), CJ DeMarsico (GK)
Juniors: Jake Deterline (GK), Rama Mugisha (F), Dylan Shertzer (D), Jeremy Latshaw (D)
Sophomores: James Ludovic (D), Trey Baughman (M), Rusty Risteen (F), Nathan Muckle (D), Michael Cheezum (M/D), Kedric Yoder (F), Shea Richardson (D), Trevor Prevost (GK)
 
Newcomers
Senior: Isaac Gutierrez (M)
Juniors: Michael Eufemia (M), Eric Bailey (M),
Sophomores: Nick Klohr (M), Caleb Bauman (D), Mitchell Thelemaque (F), Keith Race (F), Jonas Da (D)
Freshmen: Isaac Barrow (GK), Clark Shreiner (F), Justin Cox (M), Tony Leary (F), Noah Floge (F), Tanner Shertzer (M/D), Brad Burpee (D), Richard Jones (GK)
 
Losses to Graduation
-Ivan Correa, Jared Jordan, Anthony Gehman
 
Program Notes
-Lancaster Bible has appeared in the NEAC Playoffs every season since 2014, including two trips to the NEAC Final in 2014 and 2018
-The Chargers outscored their opponents, 21-12 in the second half of games last season
-Lancaster Bible posted a program-record nine wins in NEAC play last season
-Senior Caleb Nelson returns once again, as he missed most of last season with an injury…Nelson is 23rd in program history with 17 goals, and could move into the top-15 with a solid season
-NEAC All-Conference players Dan Bewersdorff, Jake Deterline and Chad Tolson also return for the Chargers
-Lancaster Bible was 5-3 at home last season, and will look to improve on that mark, as the Chargers will host 13 games this season at the Donald H. Funk Field, including the first six contests of the season
-There are 37 players on this year's roster, the most in program history
 
3 Questions for 2019
1. Can the Chargers survive the opening NEAC gauntlet of Penn St. Abington, Penn St. Harrisburg, Gallaudet, Penn St. Berks and Penn College?
-The Chargers lost twice to Penn St. Abington last season, one of which came in the NEAC Final, and lost to Penn St. Harrisburg in non-conference action, but beat Gallaudet, Penn St. Berks and Penn College (twice) last season
2. Can Lancaster Bible avoid a midseason swoon like last season when the team went 1-4-1 over a six game stretch and scored just five goals over that span?
-The Chargers rattled off eight wins in nine games after that swoon last season, but the schedule is favorable for Lancaster Bible, as the team will play the aforementioned 13 home contests...However, another swoon could spell trouble with late road games at Wells, Keuka and SUNY Poly.
3. Will the injury bug bite again?
-Josh Marcroft and Nelson were dealt season-ending injuries last season, and many others missed games throughout the season a year ago…It's hard to forecast injuries, but it seems as though the Chargers have had their fair share over the past few seasons…Can the team avoid those and get some good fortune and keep everyone healthy?...If so, the team is loaded in all three areas of the field, and 2019 could be a special season.
 
Season Preview Podcast
Head Coach Tom Ardt discusses the 2019 season on the Horse with No Name Podcast
 
Season Links
Team Roster
2019 Schedule
2018 Statistics
Program History