Season Preview: Robert Morris Men’s Soccer blends veteran leadership with 18 newcomers ahead of 2026 opener vs. Drexel

It may be hard to believe, but year four of the Jonathan Potter era at Robert Morris kicks off Thursday afternoon when the Colonials host Drexel at the North Athletic Complex.

Coming off a 2025 campaign where they went 6-4-7 overall, earned a No. 5 seed in the Horizon League tournament, and made a run to the semifinals, RMU enters 2026 looking to reclaim top-flight conference honors.

With 18 newcomers joining a proven veteran core, the Colonials aim to maintain their formidable home form on the turf in Moon Township.

“We had a great spring season, played some tough opponents and got experience for our returners and our three transfers in January. We had the most guys playing this summer than we have had before which has helped us,” Potter told Pittsburgh Soccer Now this week.

“Great core of leadership with Josh Lane, Miguel Dominguez, Storm Johansen among others. Many of the newcomers come in with college experience so makes the transition a little easier. Talented team, high on technical ability and impressed by the depth we have in many roles. We had a large senior group last year and we knew we had to inject some freshness in the team.

Veteran Leadership Sets the Standard

To anchor the squad through this transition, head coach Jonathan Potter has turned to a trusted core of leaders, naming senior goalkeeper Josh Lane and junior defender Miguel Dominguez as team captains for 2026.

Lane, a native of Leicester, England, enters his second season wearing the armband as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in program history. A two-time All-Horizon League selection, Lane was vital to RMU’s 2024 championship run, posting two postseason shutouts. After earning United Soccer Coaches All-North Region honors in 2024 and another Horizon League All-Tournament nod last fall, his focus remains squarely on the bigger picture.

“I’m really excited to lead the group this year,” Lane said.

“With a good core of returners and a great incoming class full of talent, I feel we have a great unit to compete at the top end of the table this year and hopefully bring another championship to RMU soccer.”

Joining Lane in a captaincy role is Dominguez, a Córdoba, Mexico native who made an immediate defensive impact after transferring to RMU last season (11 starts in 12 appearances). After logging 90-minute shifts throughout the Horizon League Tournament last fall, Dominguez sharpened his form locally this summer playing for Riverhounds 2 in USL League Two.

“Being named a captain of this team is a true honor,” Dominguez said. “Becoming a captain was a goal I set for myself from the very first day I arrived at RMU… I’m ready to give everything I have for this team and support this talented group of players who have so much heart.”

Beyond the captains, RMU returns crucial experience in sophomore midfielder Riley Cotton (1G, 3A in 2025) along with senior midfielders Storm Johansen and Tayshaun Reid.

“Josh is a great captain and leader,” Potter stated.

“We have other guys like Tayshaun Ried, Stanley Kinch, Chris Lewis, Miguel Dominguez who have been here a long time and have seen all situations in college soccer. This is when different people step into leadership roles that previously they could defer that responsibility with others. Younger players like Riley Cotton, Matthew Eckersall, and John Krug also are stepping up quickly to help our newcomers adjust. It has been a fun process so far.”  

Integrating 18 New Faces

While the foundation is strong, the sheer volume of new talent represents a major overhaul for the program. Potter and assistant coach Abraham Lopez-Mendoza added 18 newcomers—nine transfers and nine freshmen—to rebuild the roster depth.

Up front and through the middle, high-profile transfers like Giovanni Dennis (UConn) and Anelson Azard (Tiffin) bring immediate collegiate pedigree. Azard, who joined RMU in the spring, arrived off a 2024 campaign in which he earned All-G-MAC and United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region First Team honors.

The recruiting trail also brought a strong local flavor to Moon Township, as three WPIAL products—Brady Eubanks, Mason Bizyak, and Sam Wessel—stayed local. They join an international influx featuring Jonah Geike, Joaquin Fazal, and Alessandro Camatta, alongside national recruits Aiden Bernklau-Wostl, Ian Thomas, and Bryan Sam.

“You have to have a standard of how we behave and interact each year. The returners are the standard-bearers of that culture and there is a lot of teaching both on and off field of both how we play but also how we communicate and interact,” Potter shared.

“I think all of Division I deals with this same issue with a higher roster-turnover than ten years ago. You have an adapt and welcome the challenge to teach each year. Also with new players comes different skill-sets, so the team can change and play in a different way.

“We have considerable depth in many roles,” Potter added.

“You will see our team rotate quite a bit in these first two weeks so we keep players fresh and also learn more about the qualities each player can bring. I would expect us to use 18 to 22 players consistently over the first four games. There is lots of technical quality in this team and we have been tested in our preseason games. We are excited to start the season.”

Fortress NAC and the Drexel Matchup

The season begins on familiar ground. Across his first three seasons, Potter has guided the Colonials to a 20-17-15 overall record, built largely on their dominance at the North Athletic Complex.

RMU holds a 12-4-7 home mark under Potter, including an undefeated 3-0-3 home record in 2025.

That home form will be tested right away by a Drexel team picked fourth in the CAA’s North Division. Led by Preseason All-CAA midfielder Morgan Worsfold-Gregg (3G, 5A in 2025) and honorable mentions Julian Pittaoulis and Tiago Lima-Bittencourt, the Dragons (4-6-6 in 2025) visit Moon Township for the first time since 1996. While nearly 30 years have passed since their last meeting (a 1-1 draw in 1997), both teams will quickly become familiar with regional opponents, as both RMU and Drexel face Mercyhurst in non-conference play later this month.

MATCH DETAILS

• Matchup: Drexel Dragons vs. Robert Morris Colonials

• Date & Time: Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 4:00 PM EST

• Location: North Athletic Complex — Moon Township, PA

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).