MONTGOMERY, Ala. --- The Auburn Montgomery men's soccer team will play their first two matches as full-fledged members of NCAA Division II when they take to their home pitch on Saturday, Sept. 7 against #10 Palm Beach Atlantic University and Monday, Sept. 9 against Webber International University. 
 
Match Information: #10 Palm Beach Atlantic University 
Date: Saturday, Sept. 7
Time: 7 p.m. (CST)
Location: Montgomery, Ala. | AUM Soccer Complex
Media Coverage: Live Stats| Live Video
 
Match Information: Webber International University           
Date: Monday, Sept. 9
Time: 7 p.m. (CST)
Location: Montgomery, Ala. | AUM Soccer Complex
Media Coverage: Live Stats| Live Video

ABOUT THE WARHAWKS
For the first time since 2007, AUM men's soccer will kick off their fall campaign with a new face at the helm of the program. Former Warhawk graduate assistant Matthew Thorne takes over as the program's sixth head coach following the retirement of Wulf Koch, who led the Orange and Black to a record of 124-95-19 during his tenure from 2007-2018.
 
Prior to his arrival at AUM, Thorne compiled a 78-43-9 record in seven seasons at fellow Gulf South Conference member West Alabama, where he also won four consecutive GSC championships from 2014-17 for the Tigers. 
 
"We've recruited 22 top-tier guys, and have 12 strong returners coming back," Coach Thorne said of his 2019 squad." I've been very impressed with both our talent and our depth so far, because with so many new guys, it will always take a little bit of time to get into our full rhythm and potential." 
 
The Warhawks bring back 12 players from a 2018 squad that posted a 3-12-2 record. Senior defender Tate Dean serves as the team's returning leader in goals scored, while sophomore midfielder Phillip Spickenbaum brings back the most assists from 2018.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Alexander Kraus unofficially led all GSC keepers with 94 saves in 2018, while posting a 2.10 goals against average over 15 matches last season. 
 
The Orange and Black welcome in 22 newcomers to the team in 2019, highlighted by Thomas Carlile and Arnaud Baron, who were tabbed top newcomers for AUM in the GSC Preseason release. 
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Andrew Elkins, Eric Besse, Charlie Elliott and Joseph Soriano will join forces with Alexander Wagner, Caleb Fargarson and Dean at the defender position. Eric O'Laughlin and Peyton Segrest will add depth to the goalkeeper position, teaming up with returning keepers Braedan Passalis and Kraus. 
 
In the midfield, newcomers Darius Rashid, Rasheed Bolaji, Lyndsey Moreland, Elias Hanna, Hayes Colvin, Renan Diniz, Jacob Flores, Lucas Batistela , Alec Palanjian and Baron will all push for significant playing time, along with returners Alexis Arriaga, Berkly Louviere, Cooper Howard and Spickenbaum.
 
Up top for AUM, Jabari Broussard, Natan Hjaltalin, Christian Stophel, Caleb Ward, Keston Purcell and Carlile link up with returners Cade Bryant, Will Atkinson and Asher Gipner at the forward position. 
 
The Warhawks trail Palm Beach Atlantic 1-2 all-time in their series history, while Monday's meeting with Webber International will serve as the first meeting between the two schools. 
 
"We're looking forward to playing two quality opponents right off the bat to open up the year," Coach Thorne said. "Our lads are up to the challenge."
 
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