Men's Soccer Opens 2010 Season vs. IUPUI at Kentucky Tournament

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's soccer team opens the 2010 season at the University of Kentucky Invitational this weekend. The Bulldogs will take on IUPUI on Friday evening at 5 p.m. and on Sunday they'll face Eastern Illinois at Noon.

Asheville begins a new era of soccer in 2010 with first-year coach Matt Kern taking the reins. The Bulldogs have played two exhibition matches in preparing for the season. They tied Mars Hill, 1-1 last Wednesday (Aug. 25) afternoon and fell to ASU Saturday night, 1-0.

"We improved from the Mars Hill match to the Appalachian State match," commented Kern. "However, we still have plenty of work to do. When we have opportunities to score, we need to pull the trigger and get the ball in the back of the net.

"This weekend will present two interesting challenges," added Kern. "We don't know a tremendous amount about IUPUI or Eastern Illinois but they don't know much about us either. I just want us to play well this weekend, and we'll see where that takes us."

Asheville returns all 11 starters from last season's 6-12-2 squad. The Bulldogs will be led by junior goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen. He has been Asheville's starter in goal for two seasons and should make a run at all-conference honors this season. Junior defender Connor Holzinger led the Bulldogs in points last year with 10 as he scored three times and added an assist. Sophomore striker Zac Odum scored three times last year for Asheville.

After the tournament this weekend, the Bulldogs will play their home opener against Brevard on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m.