Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer team will open the 2014 season with a pair of matches in Colorado Springs this weekend.
The Cru was picked to finish fifth in the ASC in the league's Preseason Poll after finishing 5-9-2 a season ago. Head Coach
Brad Bankhead is ready to bounce back from a hard 2013 season and begin the 2014 season with a clean slate.
"I am really looking forward to seeing what we have," Bankhead said. "This weekend in Colorado is a first for our team and I am excited to see how we match up against two quality opponents from outside the state. I am pleased with the fitness and mentality at which everyone reported. These players will play their hearts out and represent the university well."
Bankhead returns three all-conference honorees last season, Third-Team All-ASC forward
McKenna Cook and Honorable Mention selections
Isaiah Minick and
Ben Hammonds. Cook, a sophomore from Denton, Texas (Guyer H.S.), ended his freshmen campaign with four goals (one game-winning), four assists and 32 shots. Minick, a senior from Chaing Mai, Thailand (Grace International) and Hammonds, a junior from Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound H.S.), were both core members of the Cru midfield last season, combining for two goals and three assists.
Joining Minick in the senior class are goalkeeper
Blake Lander (Leander, Vista Ridge H.S.),
William Briggs (Richmond, Travis H.S),
Julio Espinosa (Pflugerville, Hendrickson H.S),
Nathaniel Fagnant (The Woodlands, College Park H.S),
Brandon Edwards (Corpus Christi, Carroll H.S),
Tyler Pate (Belton, Belton H.S) and
John Williams (Lake Jackson, Brazoswood H.S.).
UMHB will open the season Saturday in a 2 p.m. match against Occidental College in Colorado Springs before returning to action Sunday in a 2 p.m. match against host Colorado College. The Cru will return home September 5
th in a 7 p.m. match against Austin College at the Cru Sports Plex. UMHB opens the conference schedule October 3
rd at Louisiana College.
