By FRAZIER SMITH
Contributing Writer
Under the direction of head coach Jimmy Stephens, and with a year’s worth of experience in the competitive USA South, the men’s soccer team heads into the season ready to prove that they belong in the conference.
“Playing last year gave us a better understanding of how tough the conference will be and we can use that to our advantage this year,” said junior forward/midfielder Rojelio Navarette.
Stephens expects this year in the conference to be as challenging as last season, but believes this group “can achieve anything if they work hard and take care of themselves.”
With 17 returners, nine freshmen and one transfer, the men have a lot of experience on the squad this season, along with some new faces hoping to cause some problems for opponents on the field.
“This preseason we have really worked on fitness and our team chemistry,” says senior midfielder Justin Whitaker. “Our coach really wants us to click on and off the field.”
Marching into the season ranked eighth in the coaches’ preseason poll, the team has a lot of work ahead of them in order to improve on a 2012 overall record of 6-10-2.
The men host their first home match vs. Truett- McConnell College on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.