Posted: Aug 19, 2019
Texas Lutheran Men's Soccer opens 2019 camp with record 39 players
SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran Head Men's Soccer Coach Eddie Salazar and his coaching staff welcomed a record number of Bulldogs, 39, to this year's start of preseason camp.
The Bulldogs checked-in on Friday and have been in preseason workouts at TLU's Gustafson Field since that time.
"We returned 25 guys and had 14 incoming," said Salazar, who is in his 14th season as TLU's head men's soccer coach. "Nestor Ayala didn't check in early because of an injury a couple of weeks ago. Long story short, we have 39 guys in the program, which is the largest number the program has ever had."
"Our preseason has been pretty standard these past couple of days. We have a good group of people who want to represent TLU and our men's soccer program. Everyone is excited right now, so the challenge will be to keep the excitement going as we prepare for our season-opener."
TLU opens its regular season on Friday, Aug. 30 with a road match at Concordia Texas. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
TLU's home-opener is set for the following day - Saturday, Aug. 31 - with an 8 p.m. match at Gustafson Field with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Among the 25 returning players that the Bulldogs welcome back to campus is All-American Luis Green, one of the team's starting forwards. Green (Monterrey, Mexico/Smithson Valley) also was named the SCAC Offensive Player of the Year and the SCAC Newcomer of the Year.
In 2018, Green scored 18 goals and had two assists as a true freshman for the Bulldogs.
Green and the Bulldogs advanced to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship semifinal in 2018 and fell in overtime to eventual SCAC champion Trinity.
TLU posted an 11-8 overall mark in 2018 with a conference mark of 9-6.