LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its men's soccer Volt Division preview for the 2023 season. The Volt Division consists of seven teams, with each program squaring off against one another once in conference play. 

Six of those teams will earn bids to the postseason which begins on October 28 with the Divisional First Round. Winners of that round will then square off in the Divisional Semifinals on Monday October 30. The Divisional Final will then take place on November 1. 

The Volt Division Champion will then square off against the Skye Division Champion in a culminating Championship on November 4. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the Division III NCAA Championship.

Penn College

The Wildcats are in search of the postseason in 2023 as head coach Tyler Mensch enters his 7th year at the helm. Defense will be a key piece of the squad returning Second Team All-Conference member Tommy DeGeyter and starting keeper Cole Catherman. Early non-conference battles with McDaniel (9/3) and Shenandoah (9/9) should help the Wildcats get into proper form once conference play rolls in. 

Coach’s Outlook: “We return nearly our entire squad from 2022 with the addition of eight new players. These additions should provide us with more depth and experience for this season. Our schedule should help prepare us for a very competitive United East Conference.”
 

Lancaster Bible College

The Chargers found themselves in the regional rankings multiple times last season, finishing the year with a 6-1-1 record in the United East. Led by Tommy Ardt (12th season), Lancaster Bible posts a strong non-conference schedule that includes mainstays such as Messiah University and York College (Pa,). The team does return plenty of talent including Andrew Cox whose work in the midfield led him to Rookie of the Year honors. Joining him will be defenders Sam Glock and Marcos Nunez.

Coach’s Outlook: “The 2023 campaign will be a great challenge and opportunity. We are thrilled to get back together competing and growing as a team. We are looking forward to the journey ahead with a group of men who love the game and have a strong bond as teammates.”
 

Gallaudet University

Head Coach Jay Shaw begins his second season at the helm of the Bison men’s soccer team after improving their win totals each year since 2021.  Bode Aggas started 15 games at striker and assists in goal as well.  Kyle Santello started 14 games and had a game winning goal vs. Wells while Hammad Khan started 11 games and tallied 2 assists on the campaign.  

Coach’s Outlook: “The program embarks on this transformative journey, the Gallaudet community, supporters, and fans can anticipate an exciting era of growth, unity, and spirited competition. The Gallaudet Men's Soccer program remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering excellence, camaraderie, and sportsmanship, both on and off the pitch.”
 

Penn State Abington

A strong, young core which helped the squad get to the postseason in 2022 returns for the 2023 season. Eljo Agolli and Arsene Bado combined for 20 goals and eight assists while both collecting First Team All-Conference honors. Michael Thomas also provides leadership from the midfield position. Head Coach Pat Morris (4th season) has loaded the non-conference schedule as well, pitting his Nittany Lions against regional powers like York (Pa.) and Montclair State.

Coach’s Outlook: “We are excited about the upcoming season. We return the core of our team and we are looking to take that next step this season. We play a very competitive non conference schedule that will get us ready for the conference.”
 

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Last year’s Regular Season Champions are in search of some repeat success in 2023. A strong non-conference schedule including the likes of Johns Hopkins (9/13), Salisbury (9/27), Christopher Newport (10/11) and Mary Washington (10/15) should help the team prep for a tough in-conference season. Alun Oliver enters his 13th year as the gaffer, helping his team post a 7-1-0 United East record one year ago. Plenty of talent returns for the Seahawks including the league-leader in goals, Alex Ochman. He’s joined by Second Team All-Conference members Garrett Bridgewater and Lucca Mazzola.

Coach’s Outlook: “We are extremely excited for the upcoming season. We have a really strong non-conference schedule that will prepare us for the difficult challenge of competing in the United East.”
 

Penn State Berks

After posting a record of 3-5-0 in conference play a year ago, Penn State Berks looks to make a return to postseason play in 2023. Adrian Munteanu enters his 8th year at the helm of the Nittany Lions and will lead a team with plenty of young talent. Veteran leadership will come from Ethan Brazier and Dominick Hutt as Owen VanDyke and Shane Gleason both departed. The season opens with some tough battles including contests against Ursinus (9/3) and Alvernia (9/9).

Coach’s Outlook: “We are a very young team looking to keep improving.” 
 

Penn State Harrisburg

Claiming the conference title for the third-straight season, the Lions look to continue that streak going into 2023. Second year head coach Anthony Gehman heads a program that was noted in the Regional Rankings multiple times a season ago. He will return a pair of Second Team All-Region players in Kobe Harris and Luke Myers while senior Marc Rodgers will help set the tone. The Lions have their bout with perennial powerhouse Messiah University marked on their calendars for October 4.

Coach’s Outlook: “We look to compete every day to the best of our ability and leave our results up to our preparation”

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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.