Men’s soccer opens fall practice
Head coach Justin Maullin Interview
GREENSBORO, N.C. –UNCG men's soccer opened preparations for the 2011 season with a pair of practices on Friday at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
Second-year head coach Justin Maullin welcomed 25 players to the first day of practice, including 14 letter winners and 11 newcomers.
The Spartans are looking to better last season's impressive late surge which resulted in a share of the Southern Conference regular season title, a conference tournament championship, and the program's 12th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 20 years. Overall, UNCG finished the 2011 campaign with a 12-6-4 record.
UNCG returns eight starters from last season, including first-team All-SoCon selections Hakan Ilhan and Kris Byrd. Also returning are second-team picks Brian Graham, Fannar Arnarsson and Aaron Reifschneider.
The Spartans open their exhibition season on Tuesday, August 16 at N.C. State, and host UNC Pembroke on August 20. UNCG opens the 2011 regular season by hosting preseason No. 23 Duke, 8 p.m., Friday August 26.
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