With eight starters returning, including a pair of Third Team All-SCAC selections from a year ago, the Millsaps men's soccer team will look to snap a streak of 12 consecutive losing seasons dating back to 1997 and continue its improvement as of late. 

The loss of four senior starters to graduation, including Second Team All-SCAC and Third Team All-South Central Region forward Anthony Amaya, leaves big voids to be filled all around the field, but seventh-year head coach \#Lee Johnson\# welcomes in 13 newcomers in 2009. The talented class will add strength and depth to an already talented roster, which includes 16 letterwinners from a year ago.

"I'm nervous, but excited about the season because of the expectations we have," Johnson said. "We could either come out and surprise some people or not capitalize on opportunities and lose some games we think we should win. Either way, I'm looking forward to starting the season."

Millsaps has steadily improved the past two seasons both overall and in league play, going 9-11 last year (the third most wins in school history) after winning just two games in 2006 (2-16-1). The Majors' 5-5 mark in SCAC games and sixth place finish tied a school record of wins, while six one-goal losses kept it from being a breakout year.  

The 2008 season also produced one of the most prolific offensive teams in over a decade, setting new school records in goals scored (51), total points (136) and assists (34), while scoring 2.55 goals-per-game and giving up just 2.15 (6th, single-season).

Entering his seventh year at the helm of the men's soccer program with a 31-75-3 overall record, Johnson realizes that this could be a very special season. Adding two new assistant coaches just before fall camp, including a goalkeepers coach, the Majors will have veteran leadership both on the staff and the field.

Offensively, Millsaps returns five of six starters on the attack, including \#Corey Beaumont\#, \#Aaron Hyatt\#, \#Drew Dews\#, \#Colin Thompson\# and \#Phil Guillot\#. The five-man unit combined for 29 of the Majors' 51 goals, 16 of 35 assists and five game-winning goals in 2008. Seniors \#Justin Burns\# and \#Andres Colocho\# can also move up in the offensive third and provide some scoring.

Defensively, the Majors return three of their four starting backs in \#Brandon Mong\#, \#Conley Pomerenke\# and \#Drew Moroux\#, and most likely a goalkeeper who started seven games last year. Mong is coming off All-SCAC third team honors and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI honors a year ago, and will have a chance to finish his Millsaps career in the Top 5 of a few school records.   

One of several holes to be filled will be at the goalkeeper spot, as four-year letterwinner Domenick DiPaolo has graduated. DiPaolo finished his Millsaps career with solid numbers between the posts, racking up 193 saves (5th, career), a 2.5 GAA (t-6th, career) and 4.7 saves-per-game (t-8th, career). Candidates for the position include sophomore \#Dylan Broussard\#, who started seven games as a freshman last year, and newcomers \#John Robertson\# and \#Stephen Andrieu\#. The trio will be under the guidance of first year goalkeepers coach, \#Ed Moore\#, from St. Mary's College (Calif.).

“The starting goalkeeper position will go to the player that gives our team the best chance to win,” Johnson said. “We feel that we have some good candidates for the position. Now it's a matter of seeing who steps up to the challenge.”

Millsaps' 2009 schedule looks to be very challenging, with a late reward of playing eight of its final 12 games at home. Of the Majors' non-conference opponents, six of eight are away from Harper Davis Field including the first three on the road at Louisiana College, the University of Dallas and Rust College.

"The early season schedule will hopefully provide us some confidence heading into league play, " Johnson said. "Closing out with eight of the last 12 at home, that gives us the opportunity to build up a good fan base and have a good home atmosphere if we're doing well. Those things are crucial having some of the conference's top teams like Trinity, Southwestern, Colorado College and Rhodes coming here."  

Millsaps kicks off the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. at Louisiana College.