ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College Department of Athletics announced the resignation of head men's soccer coach Lamine Balde, which is effective this week. Balde will be pursuing an alternative opportunity after leading the Purple & Gold to its first Empire 8 Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2023.
The next steps for hiring a head coach to lead the program are underway.
"Lamine is a one of a kind coach and man.", said Faunce. "I am very sad to have him leave the tight-knit Elmira community, not only as a soccer coach, but as a man that everyone loves to be around. We have enjoyed his personality and his efforts immensely, and his family has become one of our own. This is just the beginning for Lamine so continue to follow the name, there are great things ahead for him."
During his three seasons leading the Purple & Gold, Balde has produced one of the most impressive turnarounds from an athletics standpoint in recent institutional history. Taking over prior to the start of the 2021 season, Balde was able to produce a 9-9 record in his opening year, a winning percentage that had not been achieved since the 2012 campaign. In addition to his 2021 team success, Balde mentored four all-conference honorees in Lutho Mlunguza '23, Gavin Wise '22. Moustapha Camara '23, and current assistant coach, Junior Coulibaly '22.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Rhonda and the staff for believing in me, choosing me, and giving me the opportunity to lead this family-oriented team at Elmira.", said Balde. "Everyone welcomed me to this institution from the start, offering me support from every angle whether it be on the field, in the office, or with my family. I am looking forward to seeing where this program is headed, and I am also looking forward to the new challenge that lies ahead of me, which will allow me to continue growing as a coach."
During the 2022 season, Balde led his team to a 9-6-3 record, which included coming up one game short of the Empire 8 Postseason tournament. Of Elmira's five losses in conference, three came by one goal. That season, Balde saw four earn all-conference accolades, including first team honoree Kerfalla Toure.
2023 proved to be the most successful in program history, as the Soaring Eagles finished 7-7-5, including an undefeated 5-0-3 record in conference play. During the regular season, a strong non-conference schedule followed by a successful non-conference slate earned Elmira home field advantage for the 2023 Empire 8 Postseason. Against Hartwick in the semifinal round, Elmira would see the game-winner from Konstantinos Triantafillou '26 in the 105th minute of play off a set piece from Empire 8 Tournament MVP Jhoan Chavez '26, before Elmira erased a 2-1 deficit in double overtime against St. John Fisher in the championship game on the second goal of the contest from Martin Harguindey. With penalty kicks ensuing, Chavez clinched Elmira's first NCAA Tournament bid and E8 Championship. Additionally, Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia '27, Toure, Chavez, and Harguindey would all earn All-Tournament Team honors.
Following this past season, Balde would earn Doug May Coach of the Year honors from the conference, with Harguindey earning Empire 8 Player of the Year. Additionally, Toure (First Team), Triantafillou (Second Team), Jose Navea Corporan '27 (Third Team), and Mohamed Koroma '25 (Third Team) would all earn conference honors. Last season, Harguindey and Toure would earn United Soccer Coaches All-Region III team, while inside the classroom, Harguindey earned the program's first College Sports Communicator's (CSC) Academic All-American accolades, earning Third Team honors.
