WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Aug. 31) – The Waynesburg University men's soccer team will definitely have a different feel to it, as 18 freshmen and a transfer begin their Yellow Jackets careers in 2026. However, a slew of accomplished veterans, including one of the top returning scorers in the nation, have Waynesburg not just thinking about making the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) tournament, but challenging for the crown.
 
The man in charge of creating the right mix of youthful exuberance and veteran experience is 2023 PAC Coach of the Year, Treg Lunger, who is entering his sixth season at the helm.
 
FORWARDS
Senior Zachary Johnson (Raceland, Ky. / Saint Joseph Central Catholic) has put together one of the most productive playing careers in program history. The two-time All-PAC honoree enters 2026 ranked first in Yellow Jacket history (since 2000) in total points (67) and goals (31). Last year, he set a new program record for points in a season (27) and his 26 total points in 2023 is the number-two mark. Similarly, his 13 goals scored in 2023 top the single-season list, while his 12 tallies last year hold the number-two spot.
 
Johnson has also made his mark on the national scene, as he ranks eight amongst active Division III players this season with 30 career goals.
 
The Jackets also bring back sophomore John Engel (Dallas, Ga. / East Paulding), junior Josh Smith (Dover, Ohio / Dover) and senior Matthew Serrano (North Potomac, Md. / Thomas S. Wootton) to the attack.
 
Engel earned second-team All-PAC laurels after leading the team and ranking second in the PAC with eight assists. That number is also second on the all-time single-season list in Waynesburg history. Speaking of the team record book, Engel's six points on two goals and two assists in a 7-1 win over Penn State Altoona have him in a tie for second place for points in a game.
 
Serrano finished tied for third on the team with three goals scored and added an assist for seven total points. Smith started 15 of the 18 games in which he appeared in 2025. His season was highlighted by scoring the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory at Pitt Greensburg.
 
Senior Dane Jones (State College, Pa. / Grace Prep) tallied a goal during his five games played a year ago, while junior Darren Gamez (Silver Spring, Md. / Quince Orchard) handed out a pair of assists over his 16 appearances this past fall.
 
MIDFIELDER
Junior Sarpong Kwabiah (Odenton, Md. / Meade) burst onto the scene in 2024 and was named PAC Newcomer of the Year after racking up a team-high eight goals and chipping in five assists for 21 points. That same year, he ranked third in the PAC in points per game, fourth in goals per game and sixth in assists per contest. Though his numbers dipped a bit last year (three goals, three assists, nine points), he is still one of the top threats for the Jackets this fall.
 
Other returning midfielders include senior Braden Esbenshade (Lebanon, Pa. / Mount Calvary), junior Will Scott (Masassas, Va. / Colgan) and senior Antonio Baires (San Marcos, Calif. / Calvin Christian). Scott was a regular on the pitch for the Orange and Black, having started 16 of the 18 games in which he appeared. Esbenshade logged a pair of goals, while Baires matched his four points on a goal and two assists.
 
DEFENDER
Waynesburg's back line features a strong core of veteran returners that includes junior Sam Norris (Natrona Heights, Pa. / Highlands), senior Gabe Bowman (Marietta, Ga. / Wheeler), junior Noah Biser (Wake Forest, N.C. / Wake Forest) and sophomore Landon Stevenson (Butler, Pa. / Butler). Bowman was named honorable mention All-PAC, while Norris started all 17 games in which he appeared. Biser was limited to six starts over nine games played in 2025 after starting all 17 games of his freshman campaign of 2024. Stevenson saw action in five games and logged his first collegiate goal in a victory against Thiel.
 
Sophomore Cogan Flanagan (Anderson, S.C. / Homeschooled) and senior Aidan Groves (Hampstead, Md. / Delone Catholic) also bring field experience to this 2026 roster.
 
GOALKEEPER
The Jackets will have a new starter in net and the candidates feature a senior, a sophomore and two freshmen.
 
Senior Zach Reed (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton La Salle) looks to be the leader for the job heading into the opener. He has appeared in six games between the pipes, including four starts. Perhaps his most impressive performance came in his sophomore campaign when racked up 10 saves in a 1-1 draw with Allegheny.
 
Sophomore Josiah Shimizu (Renton, Wash. / Kentridge) returns for his second season with the Orange and Black.
 
Waynesburg opens the 2026 campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with a home non-PAC game against Penn State Behrend. Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.  

BONUS: Click on this link to hear Coach Lunger and Zachary Johnson's preseason interview.