MARSHALL, Texas - After two successful preseason matches, the East Texas Baptist University men's soccer team is ready to take the field for the 2017 regular season. Head coach Chris Crawford enters his second season at the looks to improve on their 9-9 overall finish in 2016. ETBU opens the season on the road in Central Texas against Schreiner University and Texas Lutheran on Friday and Sunday.
 
The preseason American Southwest Conference polls selected ETBU to finish eighth with 131 points out of 12 teams. The Tigers finished 4-6 in the ASC play last year just missing the conference tournament.
 
ETBU has several key returners in Daniel Rutter, Travis Atkinson and Jordan Burke. Rutter recorded three goals on twelve shots last season, ranking third on the team. He also notched a game-winning goal against Dallas Christian on September 10. The junior finished the season totaling eight points in 2016. Atkinson started in all 18 matches last season, recording eight total shots and helping out the defense. Burke will finish his career this season and was an All-ASC Third Team selection last year. He posted 37 shots with 16 shots on goal.
 
Bryant Botello returns in goal with a 1.54 goals against average. He had 87 saves and an 8-9 record with six shutouts.
 
ETBU will host Hendrix College on September 5 as their first home match of the year. The Tigers outshot the Warriors 28 to 13 and scored the only goal in the 1-0 win in last year's contest.
 
Crawford spoke about the upcoming season and says, "The guys are excited for this year. I'm excited to see how they're going to compete. I know the nerves are going to set in for the first game for the freshman and for the seniors it's going to be their last first game. It's going to be two tough games this weekend and we're looking forward to it."