There is unfinished business remaining in Radford and the Radford University men’s soccer team is ready to take care of that business as they held the first official practice of the 2018 season on Wednesday.
“It was a successful first day and everyone came into camp prepared, which is exciting,” said second year head coach Bryheem Hancock. “We will continue to work daily to prepare the group for our first contest and are excited to see what the group is capable of.”
Coming off a 10-4-4 campaign that culminated in an unfortunate exit from the Big South Championships following a semifinal loss in 2017, the Highlanders expect to reach new heights this time around as they enter the season second in the conference preseason poll.
Radford returns six players who started 10 or more games a season ago, including all-conference performers Kieran Roberts, Victor Valls and Max Edwards.
Jakob Strandsäter, Michael Walsh and Myles Yorke will also be back while several newcomers join the quest for a conference title including senior forward transfer Khori Bennett, who was just named to the PDL All-Eastern Conference squad.
Radford will get the opportunity to shake off the rust with three preseason exhibition matches at Cupp Stadium in August. VMI comes to town on Aug. 12, Appalachian State makes its way to the NRV on Aug. 15 and ETSU closes out the preseason on Aug. 21.
The Highlanders will then kick off the regular season at Old Dominion on Aug. 24. The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. against Big South rival, Campbell.
–RU Athletics