LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The Austin College men's soccer team has been picked to finish sixth in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in voting by the conference's head coaches, the league office has announced. The 'Roos finished sixth in the standings last season with an overall record of 7-6-3, and a conference mark of 6-5-2.
Austin College is coming off of its third straight winning campaign, the first such streak for the program since joining the NCAA in 1996. The 'Roos will be looking to replace nine players who started at least nine games last season, including first team All-SCAC performers Joseph Khalaf and Phillip Le. However, head coach Mark Hudson's team features a strong group of younger players, led by junior defender Colin Saum and sophomore midfielder Xander Spurlock. Saum started every game last season, while Spurlock was in the starting lineup 11 times, scoring four goals in his freshman season.
Juan Rodriguez, who backed up Khalaf for the last three seasons, enters his senior year ready to take the reins in goal. Also returning to bolster the squad is junior midfielder Dylan Armes, who started 11 games last season, as well as senior defender Nathan Escanuela, who got the starting nod five times a year ago.
The 'Roos open the year on Friday, August 30 when they host Wisconsin-Superior at 8:00 p.m.