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LOS ANGELES – The No. 15 Loyola Marymount University Lions men's soccer team return to the pitch on Friday, set to kick off the 2020-21 nonconference portion of the schedule when the UCLA Bruins pay a visit to Sullivan Field.
 
The Lions are coming off a productive exhibition match last weekend against Hope International and are primed to make a run in the West Coast Conference this upcoming season. Favored to win the WCC, LMU also boasts three preseason conference team members in midfielder Noel Caliskan, defender Gerardo Lopez, and midfielder Bastien Oberli.
 
Lopez, in addition to his preseason WCC honors, was named to the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List becoming the fourth LMU men's soccer player to make the list. He joins former Lions Rafael Baca, Roger Downes, and Craig Nitti as the fourth player from LMU to be recognized. He is one of 33 players from across the nation to be included on the 2020-21 list.
 
LMU is coming off a year where they went 11-6-3, good for second place in the WCC and an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Paul Krumpe and the Lions are looking to take another step forward and win the WCC and make a consecutive trip to the NCAAs.
 
The Lions return leading point total and goal scorer Duhaney Williams in addition to goalkeeper Jacob Jackson. Last year for the Lions, Jackson set the school record with six consecutive scoreless games and finished with nine clean sheets good for tenth in the nation. LMU's assists leader, Narcisco Cervantes also returns to strengthen the midfield.  
 
The offseason brought eight new players, with the addition of six freshmen, a junior transfer, and one senior. Those new faces join a team that returns 19 players, most of whom saw time on the pitch.
 
LMU opens the season at Sullivan Field and has a 4-5-1 record in season home openers since 2005. The Lions and Bruins have matched up 29 times in their series history and last played each other at Sullivan in 2012.
 
Fans will not be permitted to attend home matches as long as the current Los Angeles County and state of California rules are in effect. Live stats and a stream of the game with be available on lmulions.com. All dates and times are subject to change.
 
For more information on LMU men's soccer, follow the program on Twitter, like the Lions on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "lmulionsmsoc."