Lyla Bell '25 Signs to Play D1 Soccer at Florida Gulf Coast University

As a starting varsity soccer player since freshman year, Lyla has been a stand-out center midfielder on the Archmere girls soccer team. As a freshman, Lyla was named DIAA Second Team All-State and First Team DSAC All-Conference. As a sophomore, Lyla was integral in the 2023 State Championship win where for the first time in school history, the Archmere girls soccer team took home the State Championship. Lyla scored a goal in the first half, helping to defeat Saint Mark’s in a dominating 6-1 victory. As a Junior, Lyla was named Team Captain, DIAA First Team All-State and DSAC First Team All-Conference Player. 

 

Outside of Archmere, Lyla plays for the ECNL U18/U19 Team at FC Delco Soccer Club. She is a defensive midfielder and also plays anywhere on the back line. Her accolades include being a 2X US Youth National Team (USYNT) ID camp invitee and a Girls Academy Mid Atlantic ID selection. In 2022, Lyla was selected to play on the Olympic Development Program (ODP) state and regional team. In 2024, she was included in “Top Drawer Soccer 2025 players to watch”, where her ECNL coach described her as “operating out of the defensive midfield, Bell stifles opponents with her close marking and expert tackling. She can also make the immediate transition from defense to attack, using her field vision to pick out teammates on the flanks and build sustained possessions.” 

 

In addition to soccer, Lyla has run cross country for the past two years and has been a rising star this season. She was named Team Captain, earned DSAC First Team All-Conference, and DIAA All-State honors, placing 6th in the conference meet and 18th in the state meet.

 

Aside from athletics, Lyla participates in school clubs and activities. She is involved in the Community Service Club and has volunteered at the school’s Open House, assisting her coaches in promoting Archmere’s athletic teams.

 

A graduate of St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School in Glen Mills, PA, Lyla plans to major in Exercise Science at Florida Gulf Coast University.