Mary Baldwin University proudly announces the addition of Lionel Karyea as head coach of the women's soccer team.  Karyea joins the Fighting Squirrels with more than a decade of collegiate and scholastic coaching experience.

"We really liked the experience and the enthusiasm Lionel brings to the program," said Director of Athletics Tom Byrnes.  "Throughout the search process and interviews, his energy and passion to coach were very evident.  We think he'll be an excellent member of the MBU athletic staff."

Karyea, a two-sport athlete while earning his bachelor's degree in Sports Management at Dakota Wesleyan University, inherits a women's soccer program that posted an 11-6-1 overall record in 2025, including a berth in the USA South Athletic Conference playoff semifinals.  It was the fifth-straight year the Fighting Squirrels advanced to the USA South playoffs.

In four seasons for Dakota Wesleyan, he started 53 of 61 games, he was a two-time all-conference honoree and two-time a two-time defensive player of the year.  He followed that with three seasons playing semi-professionally for the La Crosse (WI) Aris FC of the NPSL.

He turned to teaching following the 2018 season until 2024, during which he was the head coach for the La Crosse Aris FC squad, several youth programs and began a stretch of seven seasons as a girls varsity head coach at Salem High School.  Simultaneously, Karyea contributed as an assistant coach on the collegiate level from 2020-through 2025 at Luther College and Viterbo University.

"The moment I arrived on campus, I knew Mary Baldwin felt like home," Karyea said.  "I want to thank Tom Byrnes, Christy Shelton, and our players for their trust and support. I'm honored to lead this program and excited for what we will accomplish together."

Mary Baldwin returns the bulk of its offense, which outscored opponents in 2025 by a 44-23 margin, but will look to replace eight graduates, many of whom were starters or significant contributors on defense.  The team's first game in 2026 will be at Staunton's SMA Worth Field on Tuesday, Sept. 1, against Bridgewater College.