The Lock Haven men's soccer team will open the 2023 season by visiting California (Pa.) on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. in non-conference play.
 
Setting the Stage:
Sunday will mark the second game of the season for Cal, who dropped its opener 4-0 at Frostburg State on August, 31.
 
Last season, Cal went 4-11-1 overall with a 2-8 mark in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play. The Vulcans won three games on the road, but finished with a 1-6 record at home.
 
Dating back to 1984, The Haven is 28-12-5 against the Vulcans.
 
The Bald Eagles fell 1-0 at home to the Vulcans in 2022, after tying 1-1 in double overtime in California, Pennsylvania in 2021.
 
Last season, Lock Haven went 6-7-5 overall and 4-4-4 in PSAC East play.
 
Milestone Watch:
For Patrick Long '08, the 2023 season will mark his seventh as the head coach at Lock Haven.
 
Long, a former standout player for the Bald Eagles, will enter the 2023 season looking for his 50th career coaching win (48-45-16, 31-29-9 PSAC).
 
PSAC Preseason Rankings:
On August, 16, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released the 2023 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' polls and the Bald Eagles were picked fifth of seven in the PSAC Eastern Division.
 
Bloomsburg received four of seven first-places votes and was picked as the favorite by the coaches in the PSAC Eastern Division. West Chester picked up three first-place votes and was slotted second, while Millersville rounded out the top-three. East Stroudsburg was picked fourth and Lock Haven sits No. 5 in the highly-competitive PSAC Eastern Division as the new season stands on the horizon. Shippensburg and Shepherd rounded out the Eastern Division preseason rankings.
  
Home Cooking:
The Bald Eagles enjoyed a successful campaign at home in 2022, winning four and tying two games in front of their home crowd at Hubert Jack Stadium.
 
Eight of Lock Haven's 18 matches will come at home in 2023. Over the last two seasons, The Haven is 10-4-3 at home.
 
Returning Talent:
Lock Haven returns a solid core of players that saw quality minutes a year ago. That veteran experience will prove valuable as the season begins. Connor Swope leads the way after scoring five goals (5G, 4A, 14 PTS.) last season. Recently, Coach Long and the team announced the addition of an impressive group of newcomers.
 
Fresh Faces:
Men's soccer welcomed 11 new players to the program for the 2023 season.
 
"I am excited and proud to announce the incoming class for 2023," said Long. "Lots of credit to graduate assistant coach Chase Tackett '22 for his thoroughness in executing successful recruiting efforts. Our extensive network, including many alumni, were influential in helping us learn about prospects. As the process unfolded, The Haven became clear as a perfect fit for these 11-incoming student-athletes. We welcome them to our program."
 
To read more on the rookie Bald Eagles, click here.
 
Looking Ahead:
Looking to continue the strong play at home, the Bald Eagles 2023 home-opener is set for Wednesday, Sept. 6 vs. Mercyhurst. Mercyhurst enters the season ranked No. 25 nationally. The two teams also met last season.
 
The Bald Eagles follow with back-to-back non-conference matches, first traveling to D'Youville (Sept. 9) before returning home to host Slippery Rock (Sept. 13).
 
The Bald Eagles will open PSAC East play on Sept. 16 vs. Millersville. Last season, Lock Haven beat Millersville at home (W, 1-0) and earned a 3-3 draw on the road with the Marauders early in the season. The Haven is 2-1-1 vs. Millersville in the last four meetings.
 
The Bald Eagles will open PSAC East play on Sept. 16 vs. Millersville. Last season, Lock Haven beat Millersville at home (W, 1-0) and earned a 3-3 draw on the road with the Marauders early in the season. The Haven is 2-1-1 vs. Millersville in the last four meetings.