GREAT FALLS, MONT. -- The University of Providence men's soccer program opens their season against Park University Gilbert in Phoenix, Arizona on Aug. 17 at 8:00 p.m. UP's matchup against the Buccaneers is their first of three on the weekend with matchups against Ottawa University Arizona on Aug. 18 (7:00pm) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Aug. 19 (8:00pm).

Head coach Will Hander enters his second season at the helm of the UP-soccer program and is joined on the staff by second year assistant coach Victor Zuniga. When asked about the start of their season Hander stated, "We booked ourselves a tough preseason schedule with a difficult trip to Arizona. This will be a great test for the new guys and returners.  I am excited to see these guys on the pitch as we prepare for conference where our goal is to make the tournament."

Looking into 2023 the Argos will return four key contributors from last season's team. Seniors Tomeu Nebot Schmalfeld, Kolby Hayes, Marcus John and junior Vincent Stoppel will look to lead a young team to compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference this season. Tomeu led the Argos by taking 31 shots last season and will look to build on that this upcoming year.

The Argos had a busy offseason bringing in sixteen newcomers to make an immediate impact on the roster this season. Regarding his recruiting class, Hander stated, "We worked hard in the offseason to bring in talented players that will fit the culture Victor and I are trying to create. We are young but we have lots of experience with this new group and we are better than we were last year, which is exciting. The challenge is always getting new guys to mesh with returners, and I believe we have achieved that so far. The true test of a team is the conference schedule as you get towards the end of October, but we have depth this year which I believe will help us endure the grind of the schedule."

The matchup versus Park University Gilbert will be the first true test for UP as they look to open their season with a victory for the first time since the 2020-2021 season.