9/2/26
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – Lackawanna College men's soccer has had a week to think about its opening game defeat, and now the Falcons will look to break out against a local opponent on Wednesday, September 2^nd, as they travel down interstate 81 to take on King's College in an NCAA men's soccer match, kicking off at 4:00pm ET at McCarthy Stadium in Wilkes-Barre Twp.
 
The Falcons
Lackawanna (0-1-0) was last in action on Thursday, August 27^th, when the Falcons opened 2026 with a 2-0 loss to Chestnut Hill College at home. The Falcons played well for long stretches, outshooting CHC (14-7) and holding possession, but two goals scored in the early parts of each half undid Lackawanna, and the Falcons were wasteful with their chances in front of net. You can read the full recap HERE.
 
Malik Salau (Lagos, Nigeria) had three shots, while Cristian Lopez-Contreras (Guatemala) had a pair of shots, both on target. Keeper Kevin Nievas (West Palm Beach, FL) had a pair of saves.
 
Lackawanna College is coached by Will Flannery, in his first season at the helm and who took over the program in February earlier this calendar year.
 
In seven months, Flannery has re-energized the squad with a strong professional work ethic that emphasizes accountability and team culture, and the Falcons will field a team with young, talented players at nearly all positions.
 
There isn't much returning from last year's team, in terms of production, but multiple transfers have experience on the collegiate level elsewhere, including Lopez-Contreras, who was a second-team NJCAA All-American last year at Harford CC, where he scored 15 goals and had seven assists for the Fighting Owls. The Falcons hope to pair his talent with speedy wingers on the edge and center forwards up front.
 
At the back, the Falcons have a pair of experienced center backs in Byron McNeil (Springfield, IL) and Austin Haywood (Catonsville, MD), who they hope can anchor the defense. McNeil is a transfer from Division III Blackburn College, where the 6-foot-5 defender was a two-year competitor who also competed in track and field for the Beavers. Haywood was a two-year player for Westminster College (D-III) where he scored a goal in his pair of seasons.
 
The Monarchs
King's College (0-0-0) has not played a game yet this season. The Monarchs compete in the MAC Freedom Conference in NCAA Division III.
 
Last year, King's went 2-11-6, struggling to get positive results in a challenging year, a refrain the Falcons know all too well from 2025.
 
Returning for the Monarchs are several players from last year's team, including second-leading scorer Jackson Nuttall, who had three goals and an assist from his midfield position, and will serve as vice captain this season.
 
Also returning is starting keeper Ben Van Valkenburg, who has been in between the pipes for the last two seasons.
 
Brandon Raynor is the head coach at King's, entering his third season in charge. Raynor is a King's College alum, competing with the Monarchs as a keeper and a midfielder and helping the 2013 team win the Freedom Conference championship and qualify for the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. Raynor went 7-6-4 in his first season, coaching three all-conference players in 2024 and two more in 2025. Raynor was an assistant for four seasons with the Monarchs while earning his Master's degree at King's, then moved on to Hartwick, where he was an assistant coach from 2018 through 2023, before coming back home.
 
The Monarchs were picked to finish eighth in the nine-team Freedom Conference this season, one spot ahead of Marywood University, a team the Falcons scrimmaged with in the preseason.
 
Game Details
Lackawanna College (0-1-0) at King's College (0-0-0)
Wednesday 9/2, 4:00pm ET; McCarthy Stadium (101 Highland Park Blvd, Wilkes-Barre Twp., PA 18702)
 
Live Video: https://gomacsports.tv/kingscollege/
Live Stats: https://kingscollegeathletics.com/sidearmstats/msoc/summary
 
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Next up, Lackawanna College returns home for a clash against Berkeley College (NJ) in a USCAA contest at Schautz Stadium in Dunmore on Saturday, September 5^th. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm ET.