WASHINGTON (August 19, 2024) - For the past two years, the Howard University men's soccer team has been plagued by untimely injuries and a lack depth, affecting the outcome of several games when the team relinquished leads that allowed game-winning plays.
 
For Howard men's soccer head coach Phillip Gyau, a former Bison standout and widely respected in soccer circle, it was frustrating. But the always optimistic Gyau never lost confidence in the program.
 
"We shaved and shaved and shaved until we found the right formula," says an excited Gyau, entering his 10^th season at the helm. "This is the best group that we have had since I took over.  We have a nice blend of experience and youth that can take this program to the next level this year. But the most important thing is the prevailing team attitude. We saw it in the spring with everyone working hard and coming in their best shape."
 
He went on to explain how health and depth played a vital role in the team failing to succeed.
 
"The most important thing is that we are healthy and have the depth we have missed in the past," Gyau expressed. "In the past, once we got past the front line, fatigue and other factors affected the outcome and we could not hold onto leads or we would give up goals late. We have addressed that and with this group, we expect big things."
 
A big part of Gyau's enthusiasm comes from two-time All-NEC selection senior forward Bryson Baker (Ellicott City, Md.), who led the team in goals and points scored the past two seasons (2022 & 2023) and was second during his freshman campaign (2021). During his productive career, he has scored 15 goals and 32 points.
 
"When Bryson is at 100-percent, he is a difference maker," said Gyau on Baker.
 
Gyau also cited other key players like graduate forward Mason Christian (four points in 2022), junior forward Christian Rufael (five points & two goals), senior forward Marcus Lewis (Toronto, Canada) and junior midfielder Roman Stallings (Tyrone, Ga.) will all be counted on to provide added support. Christian (Fulton, Md.) was one of the players that Howard missed as he sat out the entire season with an injury.
 
Gyau is also especially excited about the prospects of Daniil Kaban, a 6-foot-1 freshman forward from the Ukraine who could be an impact player in his first season.
 
"This is the most promising season that I have seen since being here," said Baker, a chemistry major, who plans to conduct some research following graduation and then pursue medical school. "We have the talent with this being the best freshman incoming class since I have been here. When you take that, along with the returning veterans who have been around the program, it is a nice chemistry. We can see it in the practices and scrimmages. It is something nice to see in my last year at Howard."
 
In line with the season outlook, Gyau has made some strategic changes in the season schedule with Howard opening the season on the road for the first four games.
 
"In the past, we played the top-notch competition early in the schedule," explained Gyau. "It proved not to be best decision. So, we decided to make some adjustments on the schedule.  We still play top-notch opponents like Duke and Pittsburgh, but it is more in the middle of the schedule because this will allow for us to better prepare for our conference schedule."
 
The Bison open the season at Delaware (August 22) and the first home game versus UC-San Diego (September 21).
 
The program continues its standard of excellence in the classroom with nine members being named to the NEC Commissioner's Academic team, led by Baker with a 3.7 grade point average (GPA).
 
"The No. 1 goal is always to have a 3.0 or better as a team," Gyau expressed. "When I took over the program, we were affected by the APR and we made a conscious effort to change that. I am proud that we have a 3.2 GPA as a team and there have been players during that time who have graduated with high honors and have gone on to be successful. We have established the success in the classroom and now it is time to do the same on the field. I am really excited about the prospects."
 
This season, 10 of the Bison's regular season games are streamed live on the NEC Front Row. For Gyau, it is an added plus in recruiting.
 
"The good thing about the increased exposure is how it helps recruiting," noted Gyau. "Prospective recruits get a chance to see that the record does not always reflect the team or the program."
 
For more information visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.