Red Devils Hit the Preseason Pitch Monday

EUREKA -- The Eureka College men's soccer team hit the practice pitch for the first time Monday in preparation for the program's 12th NCAA Division III season. The Red Devils will enter their fifth season under the direction of Dwain Barker, the winningest coach in the history of the program.

Eleven letterwinners from the 2017 roster are expected to return, perhaps none more critical than senior James Bowen (Homer Glen, Ill./Seneca H.S.). The three-year letterwinner is the Red Devils' second leading scorer in program history, putting up 27 goals in 47 appearances since 2015.

In all, six players that appeared in all 15 matches last season are back on the 2018 EC roster and four players – Tyler Goss (Pekin, Ill./Pekin H.S.) Michael Hansen (Peoria, Ill./Limestone H.S.), Cristian Marin (Whittier, Calif./California H.S.) and Adam Newell (Morton, Ill./Morton H.S. – started all 15 contests.

Eureka is scheduled to begin its 12th NCAA Division III season on Saturday, Sept. 1 versus Lakeland on the turf at McKinzie Field. Kickoff versus the Muskies is set for 4 p.m.