2014 Season Preview (Video)

SETTING THE SCENE
UMSL kicks off its 47^th season of intercollegiate play this weekend at the GLVC/MIAA Crossover, hosted by Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. The Tritons will face No. 7 ranked Lindenwood on Saturday and Southwest Baptist on Sunday. This is the second straight year that UMSL is opening the season with the GLVC/MIAA Crossover with the Tritons playing the same exact opponents.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Lindenwood went 18-1-3 last season, including going undefeated during the regular season. The Lions were the top seed in the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament, and were one of the last eight teams still fighting for a shot at the national championship.
 
The Tritons lost a 2-1 decision to Lindenwood in last year's season opener. After Tyler Collico put UMSL on the board in the 33^rd minute, the Lions scored twice in the second half for the win.
 
Southwest Baptist was 0-16-1 last season. The Tritons defeated the Bearcats, 2-0.
 
SIZING UP THE TRITONS
Under the direction of 14th-year head coach Dan King, UMSL returns seven starters from last year's 9-7-2 squad, which included an 8-5-2 mark in GLVC play.
 
Among the returnees is junior Jon Huelsman, a Second Team All-GLVC selection, who led the Tritons in scoring with 13 points on six goals and one assist.
 
Senior Nick Lenkman returns to the goalie position after starting 11 games last year, including the final 10 of the season. He posted a 7-5-2 mark in between the posts and owned a goals against average of 0.87, which ranked third in the GLVC.
 
Defensively, the Tritons return senior Tony Auck and junior Clay Stocker, both two-year starters, while senior Logan Ream is back after missing last season with an injury. Senior Bill Lacy is also back for a final season with significant experience.
 
UP NEXT
UMSL opens Great Lakes Valley Conference play next Friday, hosting Bellarmine. The Tritons then close out their four-game season-opening homestand next Sunday, hosting McKendree.