WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University men's soccer program is prepared to be fueled by resilience this fall led by Head Coach
Jay Shaw, who enters his fifth season, as he confirmed that the team has created a strong brotherhood that has been forged through adversity, healed through time, and strengthened by unity.
The Bison will aim to improve after a rebuilding season last year saw them post a 2-14 overall, 1-7 in conference records. GU returns with a big heart and leadership anchored by seniors
Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.) and
Hammad Khan (Little Rock, Ark.). The Gallaudet men's soccer squad is inspired to welcome back senior
Tristan Torbett (Asheville, N.C.) to the team after a three-year hiatus to focus on his health.
Coach Shaw brings many new faces and some familiar faces to the program this year. The buff and blue have plenty of depth thanks to Coach Shaw's deep recruiting class.
GU is ready to show toughness and recover from the rebuilding season this fall.
Below is a breakdown of the 2025 Gallaudet men's soccer team.
2024 Review
Record: 2-14
United East: 1-7
TOP RETURNERS
Bode Aggas (West Henrietta, N.Y.), Sr., Defense/Goalkeeper
Aggas returns to the Bison after a one-year break. Aggas played goalie during his junior year and made 51 saves and had a 3.70 goals against average in 12 games. Aggas will help the team with his veteran experience as he has played in 42 games and started 32 games in three years.
Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.), Sr., Defense
A workhorse leader on the turf, Holcomb will help anchor the defense for the Bison once again. Last year, Holcomb started all 16 games. Holcomb finished the 2024 season with one point and four shots.
Hammad Khan (Little Rock, Ark.), Sr., Forward
Khan returns after being sidelined by an injury last year where he missed 15 games. He was the third leading scorer on the Bison in the 2023 season with four points (one goal, two assists) in 13 games started. Khan is motivated for his senior season.
Tristan Torbett (Asheville, N.C.), Sr., Midfield
Torbett is working on a tremendous comeback story by returning to the team and pitch after a three-year hiatus due to a stroke in 2023 and a burn accident in 2024. His return to play is nothing short of heroic. Torbett played 29 games in 2021 and 2022 and scored three goals, tallied three assists and nine points.
KEY LOSSES
Samson Abraham (Seattle, Wash.), Midfield
Abraham, who transferred to Eastern Oregon University (NAIA), led the Bison with 12 points, four goals and four assists last season in 14 games started and finished his two-year Gallaudet career with 20 points, six goals and eight assists in 29 games.
Stokely Karp (Framingham, Mass.), Forward
Karp worked hard in his only year with Gallaudet by leading the Bison with four goals and eight shots on goals plus 20 shots in all 16 games.
Mamboh Smith (Silver Spring, Md.), Midfield
Smith was a four-year letterwinner for the Bison. Smith played 32 games in his career and he started 23 games. He finished his career with eight points on three goals and 43 shots.
QUOTING COACH
"This group has been tested in every way. Their resilience and their bond go beyond soccer. They're playing for something bigger than themselves." -
Jay Shaw, Gallaudet University men's soccer coach
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
- Season/Home Opener: vs. Regent (Tristan Torbett Kick-off Classic) - Fri., Aug. 29
- Conference Opener: at Penn St.-Brandywine - Sat., Sept. 27
- Senior Day: vs. Penn College - Sat., Oct. 18
The schedule features seven home games and seven road games for the Bison.
Gallaudet opens with a pair of tournament games as the Bison hosts the second annual
Tristan Torbett Kick-Off Classic against Regent University (Aug. 29) and Mid-Atlantic Christian University (Aug. 31). GU will welcome nearby neighbor Marymount (Va.) University on Sept. 3 for a night game.
The Bison will have three consecutive road games, the first road trip will be to face Stevenson University (Sept. 6), Washington Adventist University (Sept. 12) then Penn St.-Schuylkill (Sept 16). Gallaudet will return to Hotchkiss Field to take on Mary Baldwin University (Sept. 19) for the final non-conference game. The buff and blue will conclude the month of September on the road for their first conference game against Penn St.-Brandywine on Sept. 27.
The month of October begins with back-to-back home games against Penn St.-Berks (Oct. 1) and Penn St.-Abington (Oct. 7). GU will then hit the road to Lancaster, Pa., to take on Lancaster Bible College (Oct. 11) before returning home to face Penn College (Oct. 18) for senior day and the final home regular-season game. Gallaudet will have two last road conference games against Penn St.-Harrisburg (Oct. 21) and University of Valley Forge (Oct. 25).
All home games will be played at Hotchkiss Field.
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