Drexel Dragons @ La Salle Explorers
Saturday, Aug. 25 | 7:00 PM
McCarthy Stadium | Philadelphia, Pa.

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PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle men's soccer team kicks off its 2012 schedule on Saturday evening when the Explorers host Soccer Six rival Drexel in McCarthy Stadium at 7 p.m.

The Explorers sport a home-friendly schedule this year, as four of the first five contests are at McCarthy along with five out of seven conference games in October. The Atlantic 10 season opens on Oct. 5, when the team hosts Fordham to begin its quest for a third consecutive playoff berth. The team went 4-2-3 in league play last year and earned the No. 5 seed in the tournament. The Explorers were predicted to finish eighth in the 16-team league this year, putting them in contention for a playoff spot in the expanded eight-team tournament.

This year's returning players accounted for all but two of last year's goals scored, including leading scorer and Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team honoree Jason Plumhoff. Plumhoff led the squad with 20 points on seven goals and six assists, including the game-winning penalty kick in the team's win over Temple in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Championship. Jeff Pio and Kameron Teel, who tied for second on the team with three goals apiece, return for their senior seasons.

The defense will look to make up for the losses of All-Conference defenders Dan Korenyi and Nick Dundon, who graduated last year. Andrew Lill and Mike Stanton, who saw significant time on D last year, return for their junior seasons.

John McCarthy returns for his junior season in goal. The 2011 Atlantic 10 Second Team and All-Tournament Team pick led the league in saves and save percentage last year, including a career-best 18-save effort in a double-overtime tie against national runner-up Charlotte.

In regards to the returning group, Head Coach Pat Farrell said, "We have a number of players that have been able to achieve some accolades at this point in their careers and we are looking for them to continue to grow and develop as players."

The Explorers welcome seven freshmen - Bobby Briggs, Joe Farrell, Andrew Connors, Jason Spieker, Shawn Mearig, Mike Kirk and Patrick Rennie - who look to vie for playing time.

"They've come in with a real strong baseline and and because of that they're going to have an opportunity at some point during the course of this year to get on the field," Farrell said.

Following Saturday's contest against Drexel, the Explorers head to Loyola (Md.) on Friday (8/31) before three straight home games (Mount St. Mary's - 9/2, 1 p.m.; Bucknell - 9/7, 7 p.m.; Lafayette - 9/9, 1 p.m.).

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