ALAMOSA, Colo. – Adams State University men's soccer team is ready to kick off their fall 2021 season. The Grizzlies are fortunate enough to open the season with two home games. They are set to play Lubbock Christian University on Saturday, September 4th and Texas Permian Basin on Monday, September 6th.

The Grizzlies are enthusiastic to start after the unprecedented COVID Spring 2021 season. Even though they are back on track of a regular season, COVID still presents some challenges the Grizzlies must overcome.

"This preseason has been very unique and challenging," Head Coach Brett Bentley says. "We are trying to use these first two games as a measuring stick to see where everyone is at."

 In preparation for this upcoming season they have had two scrimmages against Otero Junior College and Trinidad State Junior College. There the Grizzlies displayed their new roster mixed with a core group of returners and new players who brought more talent, height, and athleticism. Stronger than ever, from the leadership of the returning captain, Eddie Cardenas, the Grizzlies are excited to do some damage this season. Another player stepping up as a team leader is senior forward, Benji Rodgers. Because of his past accolades and performances, Rodgers has always been a target of the opposing team's defensive strategy.

"The nice thing is, we have a number of guys who are going to shoulder that burden this year," Bentley comments, "They are going to come in and contribute to our team offensively."

Other key players to watch is Division I transfer, Josh Gracia. His experience and talent will be a great addition to the program's culture. Together, this team has the potential to be one of the best teams, Adams State has seen.

The Grizzlies will start the season with a home game against Lubbock Christian University on Saturday, September 4 at 12:00 p.m. This match has a lot of excitement circulating it as Coach Brentley was previously a coach at Lubbock Christian and at the last matchup, Lubbock walked away with the victory, 1-0. Overall, Adams State has never beat the Chaparrals, they are currently 0-3 in past meetings. Lubbock Christian was predicted to finish seventh in the Lone Star Conference. Seven players were awarded All-Conference in the LSC. Fernando Flores was announced as making the All-LSC Second Team. Him and five other letter winners will be returning this season.

"It's going to be a really interesting game in terms of style of play and in terms of the history," Bentley states.  This matchup will be a game to watch.

After the Grizzlies take on Lubbock Christian, they will play Texas Permian Basin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 6th. This too should be an interesting matchup and a good test for the Grizzlies.

"They bring it a lot of guys with international experience which makes things more challenging for us," Bentley remarks, "Individually they will be talented through their technique and tricky on the ball so we must stick to our defensive principles."

Texas Permian Basin was voted to be fifth in the Lone Star conference Preseason Poll. They are returning back most of their core group from the Spring 2021 season. The Falcons are looking to make the postseason for the first time as a member of the Lone Star Conference.
 
Up next the Grizzlies will be on the road as they travel to Lakewood, Colorado to play Dallas Baptist University on Saturday, September 11th. That will be the last game before conference play. The Grizzlies are set to start conference games against Fort Lewis College on Friday, September 17th.