YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Soccer Team will begin its chase for a third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance when they travel to Young Harris on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 5:00 p.m.
The season opener will not only mark the start of a new campaign, but the start of a new era, as Carlos Rubio takes over as head coach of the program following Jack Winter's departure to Stanford.
Sunday's matchup will be the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs, the Bears have taken two wins in the past three contests. In their last two trips to Young Harris, the Bears have split the series with a 2-0 defeat in 2021 and a 1-0 win in 2019.
Rubio, the Bears' goalkeeper coach since 2018, was part of last year's 3-1 upset victory over the Mountain Lions. One of the goal scorers in that contest was Adrian Martina, who led the program with six goals last year and was tabbed with 2023 Preseason First Team All-SAC honors.
Martina will help lead the new-look Bears who saw some key members leave the program following the 2022 season. Although, some star playmakers make their return to the pitch as Preseason First Team All-SAC Oliver Gardner and Second Team All-SAC Harri Rowe bring valuable experience to this year's squad.
Among the mix includes sophomore defender Ivan Rubio, who made 10 starts for the Bears in his first season with the program. His five points was the second-most among LR defenders, only behind Rowe who recorded 11 points last season.
This matchup will be the first time the Bears have started the season on the road against a non-conference opponent since taking on Limestone in 2018. The game will be streamed live through the Young Harris Digital Network.
