Men’s Soccer Hosts Oglethorpe for Exhibition Saturday

Courtesy: Matt Arsenault/Sports Communications

ATLANTA – After beginning training earlier this week, the Georgia State men’s soccer team will host Oglethorpe in the first of three preseason exhibitions. The friendly is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16 at the GSU Soccer Complex. Admission and parking are free at the Panthersville facility.

"The Oglethorpe game will be a early test for us and give us a measuring stick," head coach Brett Surrency said. "I know the guys will be happy to compete against someone other than themselves and this game will provide a good challenge."

In 2013, the Stormy Petrels finished with an 11-3-3 overall record, including a 4-1-2 mark in the Southern Athletic Association. Oglethorpe returns eight starters from last year’s squad that finished second in the SAA. GSU and Oglethorpe also played an exhibition during the 2013 preseason, with the Panthers earning a 2-0 victory at the GSU Soccer Complex behind goals by Jamal Keene and Eddie Wilding.
Georgia State will also host Georgia Southwestern for an exhibition on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. before travelling to face Kentucky on Aug. 23 in the team’s final exhibition ahead of the season opener on Aug. 29 at Mercer.
"Preseason will be great for us to have a look at a variety of different players and combinations," Surrency said. "The goal is to be hitting on all cylinders when we step on the field for the season opener against Mercer."
This will be Surrency and his staff’s first opportunity to see nine new Panther players in GSU uniforms. The staff will be looking to see how they will mesh with the 11 returning letterwinners while helping replace the loss of six letterwinners from a season ago.