SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The Incarnate Word men's soccer team opens their 2012 campaign by seeking revenge against the squad that dropped them out of the playoffs last year. The 10^th-ranked Cardinals will take on the top ranked Fort Lewis Friday at 4:30 p.m. on a neutral field in Golden, Colorado.

The Cardinals fell just short in the playoffs last year against the Skyhawks, losing to the eventual national champions, 1-0. This year's squad will see a lot of new faces after graduating 11 seniors. However, the Cardinals will return a few key players from last year on the offensive side including Vincent Bailey (Liverpool, England/King George V) and Julian Brown-Latham (Brampton, Ont./UNC-Charlotte) who combined for seven goals and eight assists. James Nero, the Lone Star Conference Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year, will return to anchor the back line that only gave up 0.72 goals per game last year.
Head coach Vince Martinez is enthusiastic about his team this year. “We're expecting to be a team that is going to compete for every game and make playoffs.”

Martinez expects to improve upon last season's 14-3-3 record, but understands it will be difficult. The team will be relying upon a number of newcomers to accomplish that goal.  Wylie Rea (Charlotte, NC/Winthrop) and Robin Nicholls look to bring in some immediate experience.  Rea, a transfer from Winthrop, has 37 games of collegiate experience under his belt. Nicholls, coming from London, brings playing experience from Bath University.

The Colorado School of Mines is serving as the host of the classic-style event.  Live stats are available at http://livestats.prestosports.com/csmorediggers/.
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