LIVE STATS

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville men's soccer team will take to the pitch for the first time this fall Friday in Nashville, Tenn., when the Purple Aces will travel to Belmont for a 5 p.m. exhibition contest against the Bruins.
 
Evansville returns 18 letterwinners, including 10 starters from last year's team that finished 9-8-1 overall and tied for third in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 3-2-1 league mark.  UE also adds seven freshmen and a pair of transfers to its 2013 team.
 
Sophomore Faik Hajderovic returns as the team's leading scorer, as he racked up 15 points on five goals and five assists last season to earn a spot on the NSCAA/Continental Tire All-Region Third Team and All-MVC Honorable Mention status. 
 
Fellow sophomore Mark Anthony Gonzalez bolstered the Aces' offensive last season by notching 11 points on five goals and an assist, while junior Nick Schroeder earned a spot on the All-MVC Second Team by scoring three goals and dishing out an assist for seven points.
 
Defensively, junior captain Patrick Hodges will be joined by fellow juniors Joel Craig and Charlie Macias on Evansville's back line.  Hodges earned All-MVC Honorable Mention recognition last season after leading UE to a 1.37 goals against average and six shutouts.
 
Junior goalkeeper Eric Teppen played all but 17:10 in goal for the Aces in 2012, posting a 1.39 goals against average, .750 save percentage, 75 saves and five shutouts.
 
Belmont returns 13 letterwinners and six starters from its 2012 team that finished 6-8-3 overall.  The Bruins welcome 11 newcomers, including 10 true freshmen to this year's team and defeated No. 22 Xavier, 1-0, in their first exhibition game last Sunday. 
 
Evansville will conclude its preseason schedule Sunday at 5 p.m., when it hosts Indianapolis and will open its 2013 regular season Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. against Massachusetts at The Hotels of Grand Prairie Classic in Peoria, Ill.