SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Coming off a 15-3-6 record last season and an appearance in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, the nationally-ranked Flagler men's soccer team is set to turn the page as they hit the pitch for their season opener on Thursday, August 27^th at Francis Marion University. Kick off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from Hartzler Soccer Field and the match will be streamed on the Conference Carolinas Digital Network.
 
"We are very excited for the season to start on Thursday," said head coach Thomas Coombes. "The players have worked incredibly hard during preseason and there is a real togetherness and confidence in this group that we can make this season one to be remembered."
 
Following a Peach Belt Conference Tournament title and a 15-win season, the most in program history since 2011, the Saints enter the new year with high expectations. Flagler was picked No. 15 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 and topped the Peach Belt Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Additionally, the Saints saw seven players earn Preseason All-PBC honors, including Ryan Rivas, Daniel Becerra, Owen Cunha, Filip Hornburg, Luke Williams, Finn Weigelt, and Callum Stokes.
 
A key returner from last season's successful run is senior goalkeeper Ryan Rivas, who was named to the Preseason All-Conference list. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native hauled in 92 saves last season, which was the most in a single season in Division 2 program history. Rivas recorded 10 clean sheets on the year last season, which tied for the fifth most in a single season as he was named First Team All-PBC and First Team United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region. Coming into the new year, Rivas ranks second all-time in school history in shutouts and fourth all-time in saves.

Assisting Rivas on the defensive front are three Preseason All-Conference standouts, including Daniel Becerra, Owen Cunha, and Filip Hornburg. Becerra returns for his second season after earning Second Team All-PBC honors last year. The Barranquilla, Columbia native started 22 matches and netted four goals with three assists while playing a key role in 10 shutouts. Cunha enters his second season with the Saints after transferring from North Florida. The Frederick, Maryland native started 22-of-23 matches last season and dished out five assists, a mark that ranked eighth in the conference. Rounding out the list of defenders is sophomore Filip Hornburg. The Oslo, Norway product started 23 matches last season, which tied the Division 2 program record set by Johan Bergfeld in 2011.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Flagler returns a trio of veteran forwards who were named to the Preseason All-Conference list. Senior Luke Williams enters his final season as one of the best in program history. The Jacksonville, Florida native is top 10 in Division 2 program history with 42 points, 15 goals, and 12 assists. Last season, Williams ranked second in conference play in goals, ninth in assists, and 10^th in points. Fellow senior Finn Weigelt, a two-time All-PBC standout and Georgia Southern transfer, returns after starting 18-of-22 matches last season. The Berlin, Germany native netted four goals and distributed one assist. Lander transfer Callum Stokes rounded out the offensive side of honorees as the 6-2 striker enters his first season in the Nation's Oldest City. Last season with the Bearcats, the Reading, England native started all 18 matches and finished second on the team with seven goals.
 
Junior standouts Henry Okenla, John McGarry, Maddock Griffith, Dani Freire, and Pierce Amalberti are also expected to provide valuable minutes for the Saints. Okenla, a Boston College transfer, started 13-of-22 matches last season for Flagler and finished with five goals and one assist. McGarry enters his second season in the Ancient City following one season at Radford University while Griffith enters year three as a Saint. Freire and Amalberti enter their first seasons with the Saints after transferring from Eckerd and Jacksonville, respectively.
 
Head Coach Thomas Coombes enters his fifth season with Flagler and holds a 43-20-16 record. Under his leadership, the Saints have made the Peach Belt Conference Tournament three times and won back-to-back PBC Tournament titles.

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