Kats open season with weekend slate at UTRGV
8/17/2017 4:00:00 PM | Soccer
Matches 1-2
Friday, Aug. 18 • 4:00 pm • Edinburg, Texas • UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex
Sam Houston State (0-0) vs CSU Bakersfield (0-0)
Live Stats
Sunday, Aug. 20 • 2:00 pm • Edinburg, Texas • UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex
Sam Houston State (0-0) at UTRGV (0-0)
Live Video • Live Stats
EDINBURG – The Sam Houston State soccer program opens its 2017 season this weekend, taking part in the UTRGV Tournament with matches against CSU Bakersfield and the host Vaqueros.
The Bearkats, who take on CSU Bakersfield on Friday at 4 p.m., welcome eight freshman and four transfers to a program ready to rebound from a disappointing season a year ago. Sam Houston is picked to finish ninth in the Southland Conference preseason poll.
The Roadrunners, meanwhile, head into 2017 following an 8-10-2 record a season ago including a 4-2-1 mark in WAC play, finishing second in the league. Elsewhere, UTRGV returns eight starters from a 2016 team that won 10 matches in route to the program's first winning record.
For now, the focus for Sam Houston remains internal. The Bearkats will play seven non-conference matches leading into Southland Conference play, which begins with three-straight at home. The Kats open their league slate on Sept. 15 against Central Arkansas.
After beginning its 2017 slate this weekend, Sam Houston returns to the friendly confines of Pritchett Field one week from Friday. The Bearkats take on Jackson State in the home opener at 6:30 p.m. before closing out the two-game homestand on Sunday at 10 a.m. vs. Oral Roberts.
QUOTEABLES:
Head coach Tom Brown on the opening weekend…
“We're excited to get after it after last season and begin anew. I think it will be a good opportunity. We have been together for 15 days in Huntsville so this is a chance for us to get out on the road and continue team building and getting better. We're excited about the opportunity to begin a new season.”
Head coach Tom Brown on the feel of the squad after wrapping fall practice…
"I think it was productive. We were able to do some things to help our team feel organized. With so many new faces, you always want to get the new players around faces that they will be during the game. We want them to see how they react in certain situations.”
Head coach Tom Brown on the expectations for the two matches…
“Our biggest thing is to continue evaluating where we are and see areas we can improve on. We are excited to see how some of our new players will react in a game that counts. We're really looking forward to the opportunity this weekend.”
