Da was born in Boston and also lived in West Africa for eight years during his youth, before returning to the United States.[1] He played youth soccer with the Olney Boys & Girls Club.[2]
College career
In 2020, Da began attending Washington & Jefferson College, where he played for the men's soccer team in NCAA Division III (the season was delayed to the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).[3] On March 21, 2021, he scored his first collegiate goals, netting a brace in a 4–0 victory over the Saint Vincent Bearcats.[4] In April 2021, he was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week.[5] On April 13, he scored the overtime winner in double overtime against the Geneva Golden Tornadoes.[6] At the end of the season, he was named the PAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, and was named to the All-PAC First Team and the PAC All-Tournament Team.[7] During his sole season, he helped W&J win the 2020 PAC Championship, and led the PAC in points (17) and assists (5), while finishing tied for second in goals (6).[8]
In the fall of 2021, Da transferred to Duquesne University to play for the men's soccer team in NCAA Division I.[9] He made his debut on August 26, 2021, against the Pittsburgh Panthers.[10] He made his first start and scored his first goal on November 14, 2021, against the Saint Louis Billikens.[11] On September 9, 2023, he scored a brace against the Niagara Purple Eagles in a 2–1 victory.[12] At the end of the 2023 season, he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team and the All-Southeast Region Third Team.[13][14] Over his three seasons with Duquesne, he appeared in 46 games, scoring eight goals and adding four assists.[15]
