Men's Soccer Introduces Five Freshmen in 2025
8/15/2025 11:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell men's soccer head coach Dave Brandt announced the addition of five incoming freshmen to the 2025 squad. The freshman class is the smallest class on the roster, but adds strong depth to an experienced squad as the Bison look to defend the Patriot League title this fall.
The freshman class includes the additions of wing back Nate Coughlin (Hillsborough, Calif.), central midfielder Zain Elder (Canton, Mich.), center back Gavin Newcombe (Wilmington, Del.), center back Jacob Thomas (Reading, Pa.) and goalkeeper Thomas Yerbury (La Jolla, Calif.).
"All four field players have transitioned really well," said Brandt. "Often it takes a couple weeks until freshmen get their feet. It's a small group. Four field players is not a big number at all, but I think it's been a big plus for us that they have used the transition well. All played significant minutes in our first preseason game, and I think were reasonably comfortable given their first college competition."
Here is a closer look at Bucknell's 2025 newcomers:
Nate Coughlin
Freshman | Hillsborough, California | Junipero Serra | San Francisco Elite Academy | Wing Back
Personal/Before Bucknell: Nathaniel Michael Coughlin … born on October 12, 2006 in San Francisco, Ca. … son of Annie Luetkemeyer and Ben Coughlin … 2025 graduate of Junipero Serra in San Mateo, Calif. … four-year letterwinner in soccer … Captained varsity and ECNL u19 teams … First Team All-WCAL ... WCAL Forward of the Year … two-time Soccer Blanket Award recipient (MVP award) … San Mateo Soccer Player of the Year … top five in goals/assists at Junipero Serra with 48 goals and 20 assists in 53 games … top goal scorer in the WCAL … ran track where he was a regional qualifier in the 100 meter and the long jump … also was a state qualifier and a sectional champion in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays … 4x100 relay team holds the school record … has an older sister Louisa who plays softball at Williams College … his father Ben played hockey at Harvard.
Dave Brandt on Nate Coughlin: "Nate is a very attacking oriented wing back with really good pace and a really attacking savvy mindset. He's looked fantastic in the early going and transitioned very well in the first eight or nine days of training."
Zain Elder
Freshman | Canton, Michigan | Michigan Islamic Academy | MLS Next Michigan Wolves | Holding/Attacking Midfield
Personal/Before Bucknell: Zain Elder … born on December 23, 2006 in Detroit, Mich. … son of Mahira and Abed Elder … 2025 graduate of Michigan Islamic Academy in Ann Arbor, Mich. … four-year letterwinner in soccer and two-time letterwinner in basketball … signed a USL-Academy contract with Detroit City FC in 2025 … three-year captain of Michigan Wolves MLS Next team (U16-U19) … 2024 National Academy Championship IMG Academy All Star selection … MLS Next Fest GA Cup Qualifiers All Star selection … TopDrawerSoccer.com ranked him as the top player in Michigan and the ninth-ranked player in the Great Lakes Region … made MLS Next National Playoff appearances for the Michigan Wolves with the U15, U16 and U19 teams … two-time team MVP in basketball … has one older brother, Rebhi, and four older sisters, Haneen, Amani, Niveen and Deanne … cousin Ibrahim Obeid played soccer at Northwestern University … cousin Naji Elder plays soccer at Santa Clara … cousin Dema Elder plays soccer at Columbia University … cousin Bilal Obeid is a 2026 Michigan State commit for soccer … cousin Yousef Obeid plays football at Missouri State. Â
Dave Brandt on Zain Elder: "I think Zain's a pretty positionally versatile kid. We've got him playing a little bit deeper in the midfield right now than we planned, but he has good experience as a player, he is physically strong as a player, and I think you put those two things together and his versatility is going to be a plus. He could play anywhere from up top to defensive midfield and he's doing a great job."
Gavin Newcombe
Freshman | Wilmington, Delaware | Charter School of Wilmington | MLS Next Sporting Athletic Club | Center Back
Personal/Before Bucknell: Gavin Edward Newcombe … born on November 14, 2006 in Wilmington, Del. … son of Lee and Andrew Newcombe … 2025 graduate of the Charter School of Wilmington in Wilmington, Del. … four-year letterwinner in soccer … two-year team captain … 2022 Second Team All-Conference … 2023 and 2024 First Team All-State and Top XI … ranked sixth in the state in 2023 and ranked second in 2024 … four-time conference champions and 2022 state finalists … set the school record for most goals as a centerback … played club for Sporting Delaware where he was a two-time selection to the First Team All-Northeast conference … played with Sporting Athletic Club in MLS Next for two seasons … has two older siblings, Rhys and Graeme … older brother Graeme played Soccer at Drexel University … father Andrew played semi-professional rugby in Wales … mother Lee played volleyball at University of Delaware.
Dave Brandt on Newcombe: "Gavin's one of two center backs in the class. He's got really good size and has really good feet for a bigger guy. I think he's an excellent passer and with our style of play, particularly our high press, the size, presence, and athleticism of our center backs is pretty big. At the same time, because of the way we play, we need them to be able to pass the ball and Gavin's a good mix of both. He does both really well."
Jacob Thomas
Freshman | Reading, Pennsylvania | The Hill School | MLS Next FC Delco | Center Back
Personal/Before Bucknell: Jacob Ryan Thomas ... born on Oct. 14, 2006 in reading, Pa. ... son of Rebecca and Ryan Thomas ... has two younger brothers, Liam and Mason ... 2025 graduate of The Hill School ... four-time letterwinner in soccer and two-time letterwinner in lacrosse ... All-Berks freshman and sophomore year ... PAISSA First Team junior and senior year ... All-Maple First Team junior and senior year ... team was a district finalist in 2022 ... 2023 and 2024 PIASSA finalist ... recorded the most goals/assists by a freshman in a single season ... set school record for most assists in a single season in 2024 ... played club soccer with FC Delco, Philadelphia Union and Reading United USL 2.
Dave Brandt on Jacob Thomas: "We actually began recruiting Jacob as a center midfielder here a while ago. It's probably close to two years ago since we first started looking at him, but he transitioned more heavily to center back in his club situation and that's been a really positive thing for us. We're actually playing him in kind of the big hole left by Aidan Lawlor last year in our center-center back spot. He's sharing some time there, but Jacob's done a really good job."
Thomas Yerbury
Freshman | La Jolla, California | The Bishop's School | MLS Next Albion SC San Diego | Goalkeeper
Personal/Before Bucknell: Thomas Sebastian Yerbury … born on August 11, 2007 in Basel, Switzerland … son of Jon and Alex Yerbury … 2025 graduate of the Bishop's School in La Jolla, Ca. … two-time letterwinner in soccer … 2023 conference champions … played club for Albion SC San Diego … ran track for the first time in his senior year and won MVP … has a younger brother, Lachlan … his father Jon played professionally in the AFL for Norwood Football Club.
Dave Brandt on Thomas Yerbury: We've got high hopes for Thomas, and he's a big kid. He's really good with his feet as a goalkeeper. He has great hands and a good presence back there, particularly for a freshman. He had some significant action in [our first preseason match]. Thomas had a good initial start as well, but a little bit different for a goalkeeper right now playing behind Freddie Lapworth if he's healthy."
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Bucknell opens the 2025 campaign at Hofstra on Thursday, Aug. 21. The Bison then host St. Bonaventure in the home-opener at Emmitt Field on Sunday, Aug. 24.
The freshman class includes the additions of wing back Nate Coughlin (Hillsborough, Calif.), central midfielder Zain Elder (Canton, Mich.), center back Gavin Newcombe (Wilmington, Del.), center back Jacob Thomas (Reading, Pa.) and goalkeeper Thomas Yerbury (La Jolla, Calif.).
"All four field players have transitioned really well," said Brandt. "Often it takes a couple weeks until freshmen get their feet. It's a small group. Four field players is not a big number at all, but I think it's been a big plus for us that they have used the transition well. All played significant minutes in our first preseason game, and I think were reasonably comfortable given their first college competition."
Here is a closer look at Bucknell's 2025 newcomers:
Nate Coughlin
Freshman | Hillsborough, California | Junipero Serra | San Francisco Elite Academy | Wing Back
Personal/Before Bucknell: Nathaniel Michael Coughlin … born on October 12, 2006 in San Francisco, Ca. … son of Annie Luetkemeyer and Ben Coughlin … 2025 graduate of Junipero Serra in San Mateo, Calif. … four-year letterwinner in soccer … Captained varsity and ECNL u19 teams … First Team All-WCAL ... WCAL Forward of the Year … two-time Soccer Blanket Award recipient (MVP award) … San Mateo Soccer Player of the Year … top five in goals/assists at Junipero Serra with 48 goals and 20 assists in 53 games … top goal scorer in the WCAL … ran track where he was a regional qualifier in the 100 meter and the long jump … also was a state qualifier and a sectional champion in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays … 4x100 relay team holds the school record … has an older sister Louisa who plays softball at Williams College … his father Ben played hockey at Harvard.
Dave Brandt on Nate Coughlin: "Nate is a very attacking oriented wing back with really good pace and a really attacking savvy mindset. He's looked fantastic in the early going and transitioned very well in the first eight or nine days of training."
Zain Elder
Freshman | Canton, Michigan | Michigan Islamic Academy | MLS Next Michigan Wolves | Holding/Attacking Midfield
Personal/Before Bucknell: Zain Elder … born on December 23, 2006 in Detroit, Mich. … son of Mahira and Abed Elder … 2025 graduate of Michigan Islamic Academy in Ann Arbor, Mich. … four-year letterwinner in soccer and two-time letterwinner in basketball … signed a USL-Academy contract with Detroit City FC in 2025 … three-year captain of Michigan Wolves MLS Next team (U16-U19) … 2024 National Academy Championship IMG Academy All Star selection … MLS Next Fest GA Cup Qualifiers All Star selection … TopDrawerSoccer.com ranked him as the top player in Michigan and the ninth-ranked player in the Great Lakes Region … made MLS Next National Playoff appearances for the Michigan Wolves with the U15, U16 and U19 teams … two-time team MVP in basketball … has one older brother, Rebhi, and four older sisters, Haneen, Amani, Niveen and Deanne … cousin Ibrahim Obeid played soccer at Northwestern University … cousin Naji Elder plays soccer at Santa Clara … cousin Dema Elder plays soccer at Columbia University … cousin Bilal Obeid is a 2026 Michigan State commit for soccer … cousin Yousef Obeid plays football at Missouri State. Â
Dave Brandt on Zain Elder: "I think Zain's a pretty positionally versatile kid. We've got him playing a little bit deeper in the midfield right now than we planned, but he has good experience as a player, he is physically strong as a player, and I think you put those two things together and his versatility is going to be a plus. He could play anywhere from up top to defensive midfield and he's doing a great job."
Gavin Newcombe
Freshman | Wilmington, Delaware | Charter School of Wilmington | MLS Next Sporting Athletic Club | Center Back
Personal/Before Bucknell: Gavin Edward Newcombe … born on November 14, 2006 in Wilmington, Del. … son of Lee and Andrew Newcombe … 2025 graduate of the Charter School of Wilmington in Wilmington, Del. … four-year letterwinner in soccer … two-year team captain … 2022 Second Team All-Conference … 2023 and 2024 First Team All-State and Top XI … ranked sixth in the state in 2023 and ranked second in 2024 … four-time conference champions and 2022 state finalists … set the school record for most goals as a centerback … played club for Sporting Delaware where he was a two-time selection to the First Team All-Northeast conference … played with Sporting Athletic Club in MLS Next for two seasons … has two older siblings, Rhys and Graeme … older brother Graeme played Soccer at Drexel University … father Andrew played semi-professional rugby in Wales … mother Lee played volleyball at University of Delaware.
Dave Brandt on Newcombe: "Gavin's one of two center backs in the class. He's got really good size and has really good feet for a bigger guy. I think he's an excellent passer and with our style of play, particularly our high press, the size, presence, and athleticism of our center backs is pretty big. At the same time, because of the way we play, we need them to be able to pass the ball and Gavin's a good mix of both. He does both really well."
Jacob Thomas
Freshman | Reading, Pennsylvania | The Hill School | MLS Next FC Delco | Center Back
Personal/Before Bucknell: Jacob Ryan Thomas ... born on Oct. 14, 2006 in reading, Pa. ... son of Rebecca and Ryan Thomas ... has two younger brothers, Liam and Mason ... 2025 graduate of The Hill School ... four-time letterwinner in soccer and two-time letterwinner in lacrosse ... All-Berks freshman and sophomore year ... PAISSA First Team junior and senior year ... All-Maple First Team junior and senior year ... team was a district finalist in 2022 ... 2023 and 2024 PIASSA finalist ... recorded the most goals/assists by a freshman in a single season ... set school record for most assists in a single season in 2024 ... played club soccer with FC Delco, Philadelphia Union and Reading United USL 2.
Dave Brandt on Jacob Thomas: "We actually began recruiting Jacob as a center midfielder here a while ago. It's probably close to two years ago since we first started looking at him, but he transitioned more heavily to center back in his club situation and that's been a really positive thing for us. We're actually playing him in kind of the big hole left by Aidan Lawlor last year in our center-center back spot. He's sharing some time there, but Jacob's done a really good job."
Thomas Yerbury
Freshman | La Jolla, California | The Bishop's School | MLS Next Albion SC San Diego | Goalkeeper
Personal/Before Bucknell: Thomas Sebastian Yerbury … born on August 11, 2007 in Basel, Switzerland … son of Jon and Alex Yerbury … 2025 graduate of the Bishop's School in La Jolla, Ca. … two-time letterwinner in soccer … 2023 conference champions … played club for Albion SC San Diego … ran track for the first time in his senior year and won MVP … has a younger brother, Lachlan … his father Jon played professionally in the AFL for Norwood Football Club.
Dave Brandt on Thomas Yerbury: We've got high hopes for Thomas, and he's a big kid. He's really good with his feet as a goalkeeper. He has great hands and a good presence back there, particularly for a freshman. He had some significant action in [our first preseason match]. Thomas had a good initial start as well, but a little bit different for a goalkeeper right now playing behind Freddie Lapworth if he's healthy."
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Bucknell opens the 2025 campaign at Hofstra on Thursday, Aug. 21. The Bison then host St. Bonaventure in the home-opener at Emmitt Field on Sunday, Aug. 24.
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