Under the direction of second-year head coach Pat Svihlik, the Heidelberg University men's soccer team will look to many returners combined with a mix of talented freshman to lead the team to success in 2017.

The squad returns two All-OAC honorees from a season ago. One of which is junior forward Joseph Tallarico. Tallarico will be joined up top by sophomore Rodrigo Meza. The duo combined for ten goals and three assists last season.

A crop of experienced midfielders return for the Berg, including Kiki Alvarado. Alvarado was an all-conference selection a season ago. He will be flanked by seasoned veterans Kyle Morton and Alexis Mendoza.

Losing two starters to graduation, Svihlik will ask Garrett McAfee and Anthony Raimondo to control the back third for the Student Princes. McAfee was granted a medical hardship after a season-ending injury early last year. Porus Shroff will shift to a defensive role and provide valuable leadership and experience to the backfield.

In between the pipes, Jake Kress is set for a successful junior campaign. The Westerville native has proved to be a solid goalkeeper in his first two seasons at the Berg, tallying 85 saves and four shutouts. Kress along with Raimondo and Alvarado will serve as this year's team captains. 

GEOGRAPHY CLASS

The Berg boasts a roster with players from five different states, Germany, and India. Six players make the cross-country trek from California, and two hail from Texas. Twelve of the 26 on the roster come from the Buckeye State.

ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Heidelberg opens its season this afternoon at Earlham College for a 5 p.m. start. A year ago the team dropped its opener for the first time since 2012. HU hosts Denison on Sept. 9 at Hidden Valley for its first home match.

The team commences conference play on Oct. 3 when it plays host to defending OAC Champion John Carroll for a 4 p.m. kickoff.