CLINTON, S.C. - The 2011 Presbyterian College men's soccer season opens on Saturday night at East Tennessee State at 6 p.m. in a first-ever meeting between the Blue Hose and the Buccaneers.
PC looks to improve on a 17-17 record in season openers and to make it two in a row after topping Furman in overtime in the 2010 debut. The program begins the year with an all-time record of 297-262-49, just three wins shy of an even 300.
East Tennessee State enters this season coming off of a 15-win campaign and an Atlantic Sun Tournament title. Midfielder Itode Fubara earned Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP and Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year honors in his first year on the squad and head coach Steve Calabrese was named A-Sun Coach of the Year. The team returns 19 letterwinners and nine starters from a Buccaneer team that was ranked No. 38 in the final edition of the NCAA Men's Soccer RPI and booked its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Blue Hose played three exhibitions to prepare for the season, beginning with the College of Charleston on August 17. The Cougars took the contest, 3-0, but PC responded with a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Wofford on August 22. The Blue Hose wrapped the exbition schedule with a 2-1 win over Oglethorpe that featured mostly newcomers and reserves. Freshman Jamel Manning (Harrisburg, Pa.) scored both of PC's goals with an assist from Jared Mitchell (Huntsville, Ala.).
Senior defenders Thomas Palma and Bobby Keskey serve as captains for PC. Palma served as a captain last year as well and notched two assists while Keskey played in all 16 games.
The team returns after this weekend to play its first home game on Friday, September 2 at 7 p.m. against USC Upstate.
