DeKALB, Ill. - The IUPUI men's soccer team will kickoff the 2013 season on Saturday (Aug. 17) when the Jaguars head west to take on Northern Illinois in exhibition action. Saturday's match is slated to start at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m Central) at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. 

Head Coach Isang Jacob's squad should have a decidedly new look in 2013 with the possibility of six newcomers cracking the starting 11. The most recognizable holdover is sophomore goalie Eduardo Cortes, who earned Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year honors as a frsehman in 2012. The Dallas, Texas-native recorded a 1.34 goals against average in 16 starts and finished the year with five shutouts. 

The defensive backfield will be young and talented, led by sophomores Clint Hoffar and Michael Sass alongside freshmen Ben Ogedegbe and Cameron Knox. Sass earned Second Team All-Summit League honors as a freshman after posting three goals and a team-high four assists as a rookie. Hoffar contributed three assists a year ago and made 11 starts among his 15 appearances. 

Other key returners in the mix include Ian Block (3 goals, 1 assist), Gregory Efiom (1 goal, 1 assist) and Fumio Himeno (14 games played). Indiana-transfer Lance Davis joined the team last spring and will certainly see extended action with the starting group. 

Three other freshmen could crack the starting lineup as Evan Smith has had a strong preseason camp and the highly touted Cristian Soto has shown well in the midfield. One of the last to join the Jaguars' recruiting class, forward Ayodele Makinde, is also vying for a starting job. 

Jacob's team opened preseason training with two days of practice at nearby Wabash College. Getting off campus also helped the team come together off the field.

"The guys are working hard and that's what we expect of them," Jacob said. "We've been training well. The sessions have been really productive and I think they've looked good. The camp and trip to Wabash was really good for us. There was a lot of bonding and teamwork that came out of camp, which was the goal. The last time we had a trip like that, we went to the NCAA Tournament.

"All in all, I think we've gotten a good start."

NIU is coming off a 7-10-3 season and a second-place finish in the Mid-American Conference. The Huskies are led by senior forward Gael Rivera, who finished with four goals and an assist a year ago.