Simon Fraser University's men's soccer team is looking to improve on the success of their first year as a full-fledged NCAA Division II team as they get ready for the upcoming 2013 season.
Last season the men managed a 12-1-1 record in conference play and made it all the way to the final four, not too shabby for the Clan's first full season in the NCAA's Division II.
The SFU men also took home another Great Northwest Athletic Conference title, their third championship win in a row. This season head coach Alan Koch is hoping to build on the success of last year while holding on to the conference title.
"It is an exciting time of year as we begin another run for a GNAC Championship," he said in a media release. "All of our competitors continue to improve, and I see this year being an almighty battle for the conference championship."
As for the team's second season in NCAA Division II, Koch said the men will have to bring all they've got to prove once again they belong in the league.
"It is a tough routine playing two matches every week, but we have the depth in the squad to weather this schedule," he said. "Early indicators are that we have a very talented team, we just need to find the right chemistry and get in the flow of NCAA soccer again."
With the preseason already behind them, the Clan will head down to California for non-conference play before returning to Burnaby for their home opener on Sept. 12 against Hawaii Pacific Seawarriors.
They'll also face GNAC competitors from Montana State and Western Washington University later this season.
Koch said he's excited to see how the new batch of rookies stands up against some of the Clan's conference rivals.
"We have managed to bring in some excellent new recruits, and I am excited to see them gel with our returning group as the season progresses," continued Koch in the release. "How quickly we come together as a team, will determine how successful we are this year."
The Clan are back at home on Sept. 12, when the game starts at 7:30 p.m., and again on Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m. against the Trinity Lutheran Eagles. Visit http://athletics.sfu. ca and click on the link to men's soccer for a full game schedule.
