The Georgia Southern Men’s Soccer Team is heading into the season with a Sun Belt Championship mentality. After falling in the Sun Belt Championship Final last season to Hartwick, who are also favored to win the title again, the Georgia Southern Eagles are ready to assert themselves to another level: as champions.

Finishing with an overall record of (8-9-0 (3-2), they know they can make the improvements necessary to have a winning overall record and capture the Sun Belt crown to get into the NCAA tournament. This accomplishment would give the Eagles their first winning record in the Kennedy era since going (10-6-3) in 2006 and their first ever conference championship and NCAA berth in school history.

The Eagles return Freshman of the Year, Thor Svienbjornsson, as well as seniors Chase Park, Eric Dinka, Jack Falle and Emmanuel Raji, which gives them a team with experience, leadership and drive for a championship run this season. The Eagles key pieces in their championship run could be the ten freshman on the team, which bolsters the depth on their squad in addition to the 17 returning players from last year’s squad.

A main concern for the Eagles is being more efficient and consistent with their goal scoring as they had a stretch in the season where they scored thirteen goals in three games, but also had a span where they scored only two goals in three games.

The Eagles play in an exhibition game against Spartanburg Methodist College at home Tuesday, August 25 at 7 p.m. They start off their season at home against Stetson Friday, August 28th at 7 p.m. and their conference opener is scheduled October 9th at Hartwick at 7 p.m.