WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University men's soccer team will look to turn the page and begin a new chapter in 2026 as a young Bison squad takes the field under sixth-year head coach
Jay Shaw.
Gallaudet returns several key contributors from last year's team but will have to replace a veteran senior class that occupied important roles throughout the lineup. The Bison finished the 2025 campaign with a 1-13 overall record and went 1-7 in United East Conference play.
GU's lone victory came on the road against Penn St.-Brandywine, 2-1, in its conference opener. The Bison will look to build off last season's experience as several young players step into larger roles this fall.
Below is a breakdown of the 2026 Gallaudet men's soccer team.
2025 Review
Record: 1-13
United East Record: 1-7
Highlight: Gallaudet defeated Penn St.-Brandywine, 2-1, on the road in its United East opener.
TOP RETURNERS
Xavier De Leon (Methuen, Mass.), So., Forward
De Leon returns as Gallaudet's leading returning scorer after he tallied two goals in 11 games, including eight starts, during his first collegiate season. De Leon scored his first collegiate goal against Washington Adventist University before delivering the game-winning goal in GU's 2-1 conference victory over Penn St.-Brandywine. He finished the season with four points and six shots.
John McCabe (Norwalk, Conn.), So., Goalie/Defense
McCabe gained valuable experience in goal during his first season with the Bison as he started all 14 games and logged over 1,200 minutes between the pipes. The 6-foot-3 goalkeeper made 135 saves and posted a .605 save percentage. McCabe recorded double-digit saves in several games and will once again anchor the Bison defense.
Joe Bryan (Liberty, Mo.), Sr., Midfield/Defense
Bryan is one of the most experienced players on this year's squad. He appeared in 13 games with 12 starts last season and logged 1,035 minutes, the fourth-highest total among GU field players. The senior will be counted on to provide experience and leadership to a young Bison lineup.
Eloi Straub (St. Paul, Minn.), Jr., Defense/Midfield
Straub returns for his third season with the Bison after starting 11 of the 13 games he played last year. He logged 837 minutes and will provide GU with another experienced presence in the midfield and defensive unit.
KEY LOSSES
Matteo Giansanti (Rome, Italy), Midfield
Giansanti led the Bison offense last season with three goals, one assist and seven points. He started all 14 games and led GU with 27 shots. Giansanti scored in Gallaudet's victory over Penn St.-Brandywine and finished his senior season with 1,143 minutes played.
Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.), Defense
Holcomb started all 14 games for the Bison last season and finished second on the team with five points on one goal and a team-high three assists. He logged 1,146 minutes and was a steady presence on the GU back line. Holcomb was Gallaudet's selection to the United East All-Sportsmanship Team last season. He remains with the program this season as he assists the Bison coaching staff.
Tristan Torbett (Asheville, N.C.), Midfield
Torbett started all 14 games and led all GU field players with 1,157 minutes played last season. He scored one goal and was one of the Bison's most consistent players during his senior campaign. Torbett, like Holcomb, has made the transition from player to helping the Bison coaching staff this season.
IMPACT ADDITIONS
Eli Matamoro (Richmond, Va.), Fy., Midfield
Matamoro is one of several newcomers who will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Bison this season. The 5-foot-6 midfielder from Richmond, Va., will look to earn playing time as GU works to replace several experienced players from last year's team.
QUOTING COACH
"We graduated six seniors who played significant roles, and we now welcome a six-player freshman class, so this is a young team entering a new chapter. There will be a developmental process, but the group has brought tremendous energy, humility, and a willingness to learn. Our goal is to establish a strong identity, compete for one another every day, and continue improving throughout the season. I'm excited to see how much this team can grow together."
– Jay Shaw, Gallaudet University men's soccer head coach
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
- Season/Home Opener: vs. Stevenson (Fri., Sept. 4, 5 p.m.)
- Conference Opener: at Penn St.-Berks (Sat., Sept. 26, 2:30 p.m.)
- Homecoming: vs. Cairn (Fri., Oct. 16, 5 p.m.)
- Senior Night: vs. Penn St. Harrisburg (Wed., Oct. 21, 5 p.m.)
Gallaudet will play a balanced 14-game regular-season schedule with seven games at Hotchkiss Field and seven games on the road. Eight of the 14 contests will be against United East opponents.
The Bison begin the season with back-to-back home games against Stevenson University (Sept. 4) and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Sept. 6). GU hits the road for the first time when it travels to Arlington, Va., to face Marymount (Va.) University on Sept. 8 before heading north to New York City to play York (N.Y.) College on Sept. 11.
Gallaudet returns to Hotchkiss Field to welcome Washington Adventist University on Sept. 16. The Bison conclude their non-conference slate three days later on the road against Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Va.
United East play begins on Sept. 26 when GU travels to Reading, Pa., to face Penn St.-Berks. The Bison close out September at home against Notre Dame of Maryland University on Sept. 29.
GU begins October on the road against Wilson College (Oct. 3) before returning home to host Lancaster Bible College (Oct. 7). The Bison travel to St. Mary's College of Maryland on Oct. 13 before beginning a two-game homestand at Hotchkiss Field.
Gallaudet will welcome Cairn University to the nation's capital for Homecoming on Oct. 16 before hosting Penn St. Harrisburg on Oct. 21 for Senior Day in the Bison's final home game of the regular season. GU concludes the regular season on the road against Penn St.-Abington on Oct. 24.
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