Men's Soccer | 8/22/2022 12:00:00 PM

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.--New head coach Petsa Ivanovic is getting the Buccaneers ready for the fall 2022 men's soccer season. Coming off a 7-10-1 campaign in 2021, the Bucs return 19 players and eight starters as they enter the season under new management.

In addition, the Bucs welcome one of the largest recruiting classes in program history, with 14 new players making bids for playing time.

Andres Volk is a three-year starter in the defensive third, as he returns as the most experienced member of the team, though 15 field players who drew starting assignments last year return for another run. Keepers Nils Buecheler (12) and Jean Claude Consol (5) made all but one of the starts between the pipes.

Although there are four freshmen in the class, the majority of the newcomers are transfers, either from U.S. institutions or international. Juan Simoniello and Matt Torchio starred for North Carolina Wesleyan. Juan Solorzano comes from Alderson-Broaddus, while Juan Pablo Correa, Daniel Haegler, Reed Silverstein and Tomas Iglesias are all junior college transfers.

The Bucs have a competitive schedule this year. The men have 15 matches on tap, including home contests with Lenoir-Rhyne, Flagler and Florida National, along with SSC foes Embry-Riddle, Lynn, Rollins, Tampa and Florida Southern. Along with visiting Florida Tech, Palm Beach Atlantic, Saint Leo, Nova Southeastern and Eckerd in conference, the Bucs will face off at Francis Marion, Anderson and Florida Memorial.

In the SSC Preseason Poll, the Bucs were picked right in the middle of the pack at sixth. They finished the season sixth last year and reached the semifinals of the SSC Tournament.

The Bucs open the season with a two-game swing up to the Carolinas, taking on Francis Marion and Anderson this weekend.