Returning for his sixth year with the program, head coach Carlo Aquista will lead Fordham Men’s Soccer into action this fall. Matt Sloan, a former All-Conference and All-Region selection standout at Fordham University, will join him as assistant coach.
In addition to the six new additions to the squad during the spring semester, Aquista has recruited eleven new players to join the team this fall. Graduate student Lukas Hackaa and freshman Emile Kisse are two standouts from this class.
Hackaa, the Stockholm-born midfielder, joins the Rams after two stellar seasons at Indiana University Indianapolis. In 2023, he earned All-Region honors after netting seven goals and dishing out five assists. His 2022 season was even better, with Hackaa registering eight goals and nine assists, the latter of which was the most at IUI since 1991. Hoping to be on the receiving end of Hackaa’s passes will be Kisse. The Ontario-born attacker played for Toronto FC’s academy before committing to Fordham. As the number 24 ranked prospect in Canada for his class, he will look to add the cutting edge to the Ram Attack.
Last season, Fordham looked like the team to beat in the Atlantic 10 when they started the 2023 campaign seven games unbeaten. Unfortunately for Aquista’s players, conference play was less motivating. The team’s difference in quality when they were at home versus on the road was put on full display. The Rams failed to win a conference match on the road, losing three and drawing one. On the flip side, they went undefeated with three wins and a draw at Moglia Stadium during A-10 play. The Rams went out in heartbreaking fashion against Virginia Commonwealth University in the quarter-finals of the A-10 championship, losing 1-0 and having what they thought was a last-minute handball in their opponent’s box go uncalled.
The Rams begin their 2024 campaign with a match against NEC Tournament runner-up Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. They will then play their first match at Moglia Stadium on Sept. 1, where they will host Colgate. Their first big test will be the following Thursday when they host the Co-Champions of the West Coast Conference, Santa Clara University. Fordham will start A-10 play on Sept. 21 with a trip to St. Bonaventure. They will end the regular season at Duquesne on Nov. 2, with the A-10 tournament beginning a week later on Nov. 9. The Rams could look to repeat their 2021 championship in a potential championship match on Nov. 16.
