CALGARY – After a heartbreaking loss in the Canada West tournament last season, the University of Calgary men's soccer team is back for another year and ready to find a spot back in the playoffs again.

Head coach Brian McDonnell returns for a fourth season at the helm after finishing with a 6-7-3 record in 2012. He has high expectations for the Dinos for the 2013 season.

“We are returning a good young core that gained plenty of experience last season,” said McDonnell, a former goalkeeper with the squad. “After losing to Trinity Western in a shootout in the Canada West playoffs last season, the players are hungry to make it back to the post-season and push for a spot at nationals.”

The Dinos are deep in both the midfield and striker positions, expecting to be a threat each and every game. In the back field, there will be plenty opportunity for players to grab a spot at the full-back position as several players can fill the role.

At centre back, Dominick Zator will be a key component in the backfield for the Dinos as he is expected to take up a leadership role in just his second year at the University of Calgary. The Haskayne School of Business student will be relied on heavily to be the backbone of the Dinos defensive core.

Fifth-year forward Izak Lawrence will also be a major returnee as he comes off an all-star season and is hungry to finish up his CIS career on a strong note. His skills up front for the Dinos will provide attacking threats.

Transfer Jaron Broom will look to make an impact with the Dinos program. Coming in after an impressive ACAC career with the SAIT Trojans, Broom will provide creativity and goal scoring threats that the Dinos have been lacking in years past. Not only was he an ACAC MVP in 2012, but also a champion during his time with SAIT.

Another recruit that has impressed the coaching staff during training camp has been Andrew Stevenson of Kelowna. As another big striker, he will push Lawrence for minutes on the pitch and is a clinical finisher in front of the goal.

The Dinos open their season with a home-and-home series with the Lethbridge Pronghorns this weekend. The opener kicks off at 2:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon on the Dinos' home pitch, with the return date 24 hours later in Lethbridge.

-UC-