WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University men's soccer team will begin its season later today against Charleston, the defending NCAA national runner-up. Kickoff is at 4 pm from the Welch Athletic Complex in Charleston.

"I think the team is chomping at the bit to get out of the preseason and get started, so we are just excited to get going," said Coach Sean Regan, who enters his fourth season at the helm of the Hilltoppers.

West Liberty competed in three scrimmages and feels they are prepared for the season. "Camp has gone well, '' expressed Coach Regan. "We've had the opportunity to play pretty much everyone."

The hilltop is a new home to 10 men's soccer players, while 22 are back from last season. Leading the returners will be graduate goalkeeper Noah Underwood and junior midfielder Mark Donnelly, who will both serve as captains this season. Underwood was an All-MEC Honorable Mention selection a year ago with 72 saves and four shutouts.

On the attacking side of the ball, Vitor Otsuka is a commanding midfielder that scored three goals in 2021, the most of any returner to this year's roster. WLU will have to replace the production of two Benardo Vilchis and Liam Toman. They led the team in goals with seven and five, respectively, and were both All-MEC Second Team honorees.

Coach Regan has liked what he saw from the incoming class so far and will look for them to contribute to the Hilltoppers' success immediately, "This class has impressed me, we have some guys pressing for starting spots and I think everyone will contribute at some point throughout the season." Oskar Voges netted goals throughout the preseason scrimmages and is forming up to be a main part of the offense this season. Defensemen, Alex Anderson and Kaliki Mupeta are also pushing for starting spots.

The Hilltoppers are coming off a 6-12 overall and 5-11 in conference campaign a year ago. The ultimate goal this season is to make the MEC playoffs for the first time in program history.

After today's battle with national powerhouse Charleston, West Liberty will be on the home turf for the first time on Wednesday, when they play host to Concord at 7:30 pm.

Follow the Hilltoppers all season long online at HilltopperSports.com, as well as on Twitter (@WLU_MSoccer, @WLathletics), Instagram (@wlu_msoccer, @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.