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August 23, 2010

PROTECTING HOME TURF KEY TO SUCCESS IN 2010

GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Pirates hit the pitch for the start of the 2010 season and fans will have ample opportunity to watch this young, talented squad in action as Southwestern plays host to ten home matches this season.

Head Coach Don Gregory welcomed in his biggest recruiting class ever, 25 first-year players which has resulted in the largest team in the history of the program. 52 student-athletes descended upon campus and the soccer field on August 18th to begin the 2010 season. "We are anxious to see how this large group develops in the early stages of the season," states Coach Gregory.

Senior captains Alex Keller, Tim Hord and Ben Feiler are joined by junior captain Colin McCulloch to lead the deep Pirate team through a challenging schedule. Keller will lead the charge offensively as the leading point scorer last year. He tallied nine goals and nine assists for 27 points in 2009. Hord sets the pace from the midfield, routinely setting things in motion for his teammates while Feiler and McCulloch man the defensive third and hold attacking teams at bay.

Six starters return from a team that went 9-9 overall last year. The strongest part of the returning core is in goal where junior keeper Nick Pierce resides. Pierce played every minute last season, allowing 26 goals while recording 73 saves for a .737 save percentage, including four shutouts.

In front of Pierce are left defender junior Dishon Isaac, center backs McCulloch and senior Tom Holleman, and right defender Feiler. Midfield starters are projected to be sophomore Evan Perkins, sophomore Forrest Baker, senior Hord, and either sophomore Charlie Schreck or sophomore John Mark Mines. Applying the pressure in the attacking third are Keller and junior Ryan Staten.

Southwestern will open the season on September 1st at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX. The game begins an opening stretch of five contests against tough American Southwest Conference opponents. Six of the non-conference matches are against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2009. "The non-conference matches will be great preparation for us," notes Coach Gregory. "Winning at home will be a huge factor as the 2010 Pirates reverse the format from last year and play seven SCAC matches at home. The team will have to protect the home turf and welcome in the brand new scoreboard in exciting fashion."

SU also is excited to welcome the arrival of Zack Pope as the new assistant coach. Zack was a four year starter at Duke, and is anxious to begin his college coaching career.