ANGOLA, Ind.-- The Trine men's soccer team opens the season this afternoon with a road contest at Defiance. 

The Thunder enter the season coming off a 5-14-1 campaign last season. Trine placed seventh in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and was picked to finish eighth this season by the league's coaches in the conference preseason poll. This afternoon's match between the Thunder and Yellow Jackets gets underway at 4 p.m. Trine has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two schools.

Leading the attack offensively are returning leading-scorers Kenny Rappuhn (Goodrich, Mich./Goodrich) and Nick Lang (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral). Each senior contributed seven-point campaigns last season. The attack should also benefit from the return of Bill Wilson (Mason, Mich./Mason), who led the team in scoring two seasons ago.

Brec Musselman (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern), Mason Pelphrey (Portsmouth, Ohio/Clay), Juan Monjaraz (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) and Christhian De La Paz (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) all showed the potential to contribute offensively as freshmen last fall. The team returns nine players who will be in their sophomore campaigns.

Jacob Nantz (Galesburg, Mich./Galesburg-Augusta), Chris Short (McCordsville, Ind./Pendleton Heights) and JT McLain (Highland, Ill./Highland) bring experience to the Thunder defensive corps. Nantz has a been a three-year starter at defender.

Trine will have to replace four-year starter Chris Stewart in goal. The Thunder have four goalkeepers in the mix who will compete for time in the early going.

Ten freshmen will also compete for playing time at various positions around the pitch this season. Included among the incomers are two forwards, three midfielders and five defenders.

For the complete schedule, CLICK HERE.