ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley College men's soccer team is ready to begin its quest toward the postseason and winning a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom title. The Dutchmen are scheduled to compete in 18 games this fall, including eight home matchups. 

Lebanon Valley is coming off a 2024 season in which the program finished with a 9-8-2 overall record and a 3-3-1 mark against conference opponents. The Flying Dutchmen also earned their second consecutive postseason appearance, reaching the MAC Freedom Semifinal. Entering the 2025 campaign, LVC was ranked third out of eight teams with 37 points in the MAC Freedom Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll. 

"I'm excited to be out on the field with our guys and our coaching staff," Head Coach Charlie Grimes said. "I'm looking forward to working hard and trying to win a conference championship and play in the NCAA Tournament, while having fun, growing, and learning along the way."

LVC's roster features 19 returners and a strong group of newcomers, including 11 first-years and two transfer student-athletes. Two 2024 All-MAC Freedom honorees lead the list of returning players: senior forward Nathan Prex and senior center back Logan Hicks. Prex also garnered United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV Team honors, after ranking fourth in the MAC Freedom with 14 points while tying for sixth with five goals and tying for seventh with four assists. Hicks played an important role in the squad's defensive efforts, anchoring the unit that ranked fourth in the conference last year with a goals against average of 1.11 per game. 

Another key contributor returning is junior midfielder Ben Ammon, who ranked third on the 2024 team with nine points on three goals and three assists. Lebanon Valley will also look to sophomore midfielder Simon Grimes, who ranked third on the team with four goals last fall. Senior forward Aidan Smith will play an important part as well, as the 2023 All-MAC Freedom honoree will be back in action this year after missing last season with an injury. 

Defensively, senior outside back Harrison Davis, senior center back Ben Kolarek, and junior outside back Charlie Kramer are among the productive players who will return to the unit this season. Additionally, senior goalkeeper Ethan Bazydola and sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Simonette will draw on last year's experience and look to make an impact during the upcoming campaign. Coach Grimes expressed that all the program's returning players have something important to add as LVC works toward its goals. 

The Dutchmen are slated to open the season on Friday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m., when the program will host Lancaster Bible College under the lights at Arnold Field. LVC's first home matchup at Herbert Field is set for Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 4 p.m., as the squad will host Muhlenberg College. 

Lebanon Valley will begin MAC Freedom competition on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m., as the team will travel to take on Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa. The Flying Dutchmen will continue conference play on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 4 p.m., when the squad will host Delaware Valley University for a Homecoming matchup at Herbert Field. Next, LVC will host FDU-Florham for Senior Day on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m., at Herbert Field. Before the game, the team will recognize Prex, Hicks, Bazydola, Davis, Kolarek, Smith, senior forward Ethan Groff, senior forward LJ Ndaro, and senior midfielder Nathan Newsom.

The Dutchmen will compete in their final home game of the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 3:30 p.m., against King's College (Pa.). Lebanon Valley will then close out the regular season with a trip to Misericordia University on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m.

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