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SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo men's soccer team travels north to open the 2017 campaign at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 31 in Wingate, N. C. when they face the 2016 NCAA Division II defending National Champion, Wingate at the
Wingate Soccer Complex & Pride Park. Saint Leo and Wingate's game will air on ESPN3 Thursday evening.
After their matchup with Wingate, Saint Leo will stay in Wingate and take on Lees-McRae on September 2 at 2 p.m.
Saint Leo, who finished the 2016 season with a 5-8 record and 3-6 mark in the Sunshine State Conference, look to open the 2017 season with tough competition right out of the gate. Head Coach
Tony Paris and assistant coach
John Fletcher will use their knowledge and years of experience to guide the Lions against five opponents that entered the preseason ranked in the top 25 by the United Soccer Coaches Association, in Wingate (1), Tampa (8), Lynn (10), Palm Beach Atlantic (14), and Florida Tech (25).
Last season, when the Lions hosted Wingate, Saint Leo and the Bulldogs were tied before weather put a halt to the game and eventually canceled the game.
With opening the season with the defending national champs and the preseason no. 1, Saint Leo returns 19 players out of the 26 man roster and will turn to its six seniors to lead the way in
Joaquin Peluffo,
Michael Dingwall,
Haydn Dickinson,
Brian Werchek,
Bryce Wilson and fifth-year senior
Conor McElhinney.
Saint Leo has four juniors, 10 sophomores and six freshmen on the back end of the roster to fill out the jersey's. The Lions welcomed newcomers, which includes five field players, Thomas Lykke Rsmussen, Sergio Quiano,
Joel Ives,
Hermon Constant and
Armin Bajric while adding one keeper to the depth chart in
Wessel Berenschot this season.
Following their opening weekend in North Carolina, Saint Leo returns home to welcome Florida National to campus for a 7 p.m. game on September 6.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men's soccer team, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
