TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's soccer will begin their season at home on September 4^th against DBU at 7 p.m.
 
A LOOK BACK
 
Last season, the Patriots made their third LSC Tournament appearance in program history after finishing the regular season 4-6-7 overall and 2-2-6 in LSC play. That run was sparked by a 2-0-3 run over their last five games, picking up nine points to slide into the postseason. In that postseason contest, the Patriots took on number three seed St. Edward's and narrowly fell 2-1 to bow out of the tournament.
 
They were led during the season by All-LSC honorees Oscar Sosa, Danny DeMarias, and Diego Cruz, all of which will return for the 2025 season. Four goal scorers, including three of the top four, will return to the Patriots this season.
 
THE POSTSEASON PUSH
 
"Once we start training and have a scrimmage or two, I will have a clearer idea of what this team can do to move forward in the post season," head coach Kenny Jones said. "With that being said, I know we had a great spring with the returning group and that our leadership group has done a great job thus far.  know our returners will be key with moving the program forward both on the field with their execution and leadership of our program's core values. Just as important will be the returners experience and maturity with managing the ups and downs of the season to help the entire team stay focused on our common goals. Without that type of experience, maturity and leadership it will be difficult to do more than we have in the past.
 
Every year we must look to learn and grow frow week to week so that we can maximize our connection as a team, especially with the number of new members we have added to the program this year. This is important so that we get on the same page and stay on the same page with every aspect of our program. When we have done this in the past we have been at our best on the field and off.  We have the right ingredients, and I am confident in our returning group and their desire to have success."
 
BIG RETURNING CLASS
 
"We do have a high number of returners with playing experience within our conference. I think this will help for sure. But it is a new year with a new set of challenges. To me relying on the returner's maturity, in regard to how they help the team respond to adversity and challenges on the field and off will be equally important."
 
WHO TO WATCH FOR
 
"There are definitely some names that come to mind.  As far as returners, I think Oscar Sosa, William Kenne and Danny DeMarias are primed to play a big role for us. I'm sure there will be others as well.   As far as Newcomers, I am looking forward to our 2 new additions Niclas Becker and Brendan Heck at the goalkeeper position to see how they challenge for the starting position with our returners. It will be good healthy competition. Noe Coutino and Tony Ngombi will be other newcomers to watch.  They both bring quality collegiate experiences and honors with them along with additional attacking prowess."
 
A TOUGH NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
 
"The non-conference portion of the season is very important. It's here to help us prepare for conference play mentally, physically, and tactically. It also helps the team connect with one another and start getting on the same page on the field regarding application of training ideas to competition execution in a timed setting. As a staff it allows us to observe what we need to keep and what we need to adjust. Over the years I have tried all kinds of non-conference schedules because each team needs different kinds of preparation. More experienced teams that have played together longer, have different needs than less experienced teams with less time together. So, we try to give each team what they need the most based on their level of connection and experience so that they can be best prepared for conference play."
 
The Patriots will see DBU to open their season before also hosting in-region foe Colorado Christian on September 13^th. They will then head out on a two game road trip to Rogers State and Harding on September 17^th and 20^th before taking on St. Martin's and Simon Fraser in two neutral site matches on September 25^th and 27^th in Frisco, Texas.
 
A KEY STRETCH
 
The Patriots begin their LSC slate with matchups against DBU, West Texas A&M, Midwestern State, Lubbock Christian, and St. Mary's, with four of those teams making the 2024 LSC Tournament.
 
"Those teams are definitely on our radar, especially to start the conference portion of our season. But like every game we will focus on our execution in every phase of the game, individually and collectively. We will prepare to win all our games, so we will need to get in the habit of winning each day when it comes to our training and preparation each day.
 
These are the first steps and the most important ones that we need to conquer once we start our preseason training.   Having the right Attitude, Focus, Effort and Energy (A FEE) is the price we need to pay every day if we expect to have any short term or long-term success.  I think this is true for most settings, especially in such a highly competitive setting/conference such as ours. This will be one of the first lesson we will teach within our team. We need to grow in this area daily.  It's a simple concept but a very important one for us."
 
Their LSC slate begins October 1^st at DBU, before alternating home and away with West Texas A&M and Midwestern State on October 4^th and 8^th. The Lubbock Christian and St. Mary's contests will be at home, taking place on October 11^th and 15^th.
 
Following that big five game stretch, the Patriots hit the road for Sul Ross State on October 18^th before coming back home on October 22^nd against Texas A&M International.
 
The program then hits the road for two straight games against St. Edward's and Oklahoma Christian on October 25^th and November 1^st. The regular season finale will see the Patriots face off with old foe UT Dallas on November 5^th at home.