MONTEVALLO, Ala. -- The University of Montevallo men's soccer team opens the 2016 season in Columbus, Georgia against Lincoln Memorial on Thursday, September 1st.  Last season, Montevallo's men's soccer team finished 6-10-1 and made the Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

The Falcons are predicted to finish seventh in coach Bruce Dietterle's fourth season at the helm of the men's soccer team. They have brought in 13 newcomers to join the already experienced squad that boasts much of last season's leading scorers. The team brings back six returning starters which include last season's top scorer and assist leader. 

                The Falcons bring back six starters- Nikola Klacar, Srdjan Dujkovic, Sergio Gonzalez, Zach and Josh Keller, and Steven Rocca. Rocca and Gonzalez are joined by fellow seniors Kevin Francis and John Evans. Rocca led the team in assists in 2015 with four to his name. Josh Keller was the highest goal scorer, with five goals coming from the midfield. They were prolific in front of goal, managing 22 goals from 88 shots.

                In goal, the Falcons will rely on senior John Evans and newcomer Robert Kuta. Kuta is a true freshman recruit from Poland but looked strong in the preseason friendly victory over Birmingham-Southern. Either option would provide Montevallo with a capable shot-stopper between the pipes.

                Defensively, Montevallo is experienced, with three of the projected starters having started every game in 2015. The defensive partnership of seniors Steven Rocca and Sergio Gonzalez will look to continue their impressive form from their junior season. Both were important to the attack as well as holding down the backline.  Zach Keller and Nikola Klacar provide pace from the fullback position.

                In the midfield, Srdjan Dujkovic returns for his junior season after being an imposing force in the center of the pitch. Sergio Gonzalez provides an aerial threat from set pieces. Lead scorer Josh Keller will be joined by Joel Charles, who saw a lot of playing time in his freshman season. 

Jeffrey Hessenberger also returns to the lineup this season after being sidelined last year due to an injury.

With the influx of new faces coming into the side, Dietterle has unlimited options as far as midfield formation. Newcomer Kai Pham looked lively in the midfield in the Falcon's exhibition game against the Panthers. The Falcons will look to balance midfield solidity with attacking creativity in order to finish in the top half of the conference.

               Oliver Cylkowski scored a goal in the preseason friendly in an impressive debut. The forwards will look to lessen the goal scoring responsibilities of the midfield. Since returning goal scorers are at a premium, Montevallo will be looking for a newcomer to step up at the front. Ryan McNeal, Liam Moore, and Carter West will relish the opportunity to make a name for themselves in a Falcons uniform.

                After the road opener, the Falcons face another road game on Sunday against West Alabama. The game in Livingston will be a huge game, with the Tigers looking for revenge following the Falcons' overtime win last season at Varsity Field. The home opener on September 8 against UAH is followed up two days later when Shorter visits.