MATCHES
Friday: vs. Centenary College | 7:30 p.m. | Marshall, TX | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
Sunday: at Schreiner University | 3:00 p.m. | Kerrville, TX | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

MARSHALL, Texas – Looking to build on a tremendous 2018 season, the East Texas Baptist University men's soccer team opens the 2019 campaign on Friday, August 30, on Cornish Field. Under the leadership of new head coach Chad Cox, ETBU hosts Centenary College before heading to Kerrville, Texas, for a matchup against Schreiner University on Sunday, Sept. 1.

The Tigers finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 10-6-2, highlighted by a first round victory over the University of the Ozarks, 1-0, at home in the American Southwest Conference Tournament. ETBU is predicted to finish in the top tier of the ASC preseason polls.

Centenary College comes into Friday night's match after a 2-14-2 2018 season. The Gents lead the season series against the Tigers, 3-2, in five meetings. ETBU was able to claim the last match winning, 2-1, in 2017. Gin Pau led the effort for the Gents last year with five goals scored for 10 points.

Schreiner University finished the regular season with a 3-14-2 mark. In the overall series against the Tigers, both squads are in a stalemate with a 3-3 record in six matches played. ETBU won the last meeting 2-1 on Cornish Field last season. The Mountaineer attack is paced by Trey Brittenum with six goals scored and one assist for 13 points last year.

ETBU has 16 players return to the pitch with 13 players joining the squad. Silas Sangano ranked second on the team in goals scored last season. The junior racked up five goals and dished out three assists for a total of 13 points, and was named to the All-ASC third team for his play. Juan Cairo added three goals and an assist last season, while senior Max Ponticorvo scored two goals and recorded two assists on the year. Both Cairo and Ponticorvo were named to the All-ASC honorable mention team for their efforts. Travis Atkinson returns for his final season with the Tigers after helping the squad to five shutouts wins last season. Jacob Lopez rounds out the leading effort for ETBU on the defensive end, as he was also named to the All-ASC honorable mention team.

Building off of the success of their 2018 campaign, Head Coach Chad Cox acknowledged that this year's team must be held to higher standard if they want to achieve the level of excellent that they are capable of.

"Last year was great for us. It was a fun ride. The guys did a lot of really good things for the program. It's been a while since our program has been in the top tier of competition and we want to make sure we do everything we can to get us back to that spot. We feel that there is so much potential left in us, and we hope to be a program that is to be dealt with year in and year out," Cox said.

ETBU will kick-off their first match of the season against Centenary College at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 30.