Oklahoma City University will look to upperclassmen leadership to return the team to national prominence this fall.

The Stars reached the NAIA men's soccer championship semifinal match in 2008. The 2009 squad posted a 15-4-2 record, falling just short in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament finals. OCU missed out on an opportunity to return to the national stage.

OCU meets Huston-Tillotson (Texas) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Stars Field to begin the year.

“We had established ourselves as a regional team,” OCU coach Brian Harvey said. “We want to get back to where we want to go, the national tournament.”

The six returning upperclassmen for the Stars are all decorated athletes within the nation and conference. The Stars return two all-Americans in seniors Alex Gang and Stuart Hilton.

Gang, from Seoul, South Korea, has the distinction of being the Stars' leading scorer from a year ago. He scored 22 goals and added two assists en route to being named NAIA honorable-mention all-American and SAC offensive player of the year.

“He is one of the best I've had the pleasure of working with based on his attitude, playing ability and coachability. He typifies the term student-athlete,” Harvey said. “He had a tremendous year last year. I hope he can contribute as much this year as he did the last.”

Hilton, a two-time all-American from Liverpool, England, had five goals and three assists last year in a season hampered by injury. Coach Harvey is optimistic Hilton can return to form from his sophomore campaign and continue to be an anchor in the midfield for the Stars.

John Dill will serve as a team captain. Dill, a senior midfielder from Broken Arrow, Okla., had five goals and 10 assists in earning his second all-SAC selection a year ago.

“I expect good things from our team captain,” Harvey said of Dill.

A position-by-position look at the Stars:

Goalkeeper

Andy Fitzpatrick, a senior from Kansas City, Mo., posted 73 saves and seven shutouts in goal for the Stars last season following an all-American campaign in 2008.

“Fitzpatrick anchors the backfield,” Harvey said. “He's a big guy for us, and we look for great things out of him.”

At goalkeeper, veteran Fitzpatrick will be backed up by incoming freshman Jalen Howard from Oklahoma City. Howard joins the Stars from a good high school program, and will have the opportunity to learn from one of the best playing behind Fitzpatrick.

Defense

Chris Spendlove, a senior from Liverpool, England, had eight goals and one assist playing a variety of defensive positions. Spendlove will settle into left fullback this year.

“He played out of position for us last year, but he serves the team best as the left fullback,” Harvey said.

Joining Spendlove on defense will be Steven Short, a junior from Durban, South Africa. Short led the Stars last year with 15 assists and added three goals on the season to earn second-team all-SAC honors. The Stars want to allow for better scoring opportunities for Short to add to his already impressive assist-getting abilities.

“We would like to get Short higher up field,” Harvey said.

Nathan Doll, a sophomore from Tulsa, Okla., will be playing a central role in the Stars defense.

“He is a very steady, experienced player,” Harvey said. “I expected him to be our central defender.”

Sophomore Trevor Rush, from Mustang, Okla., should vie for a role in the backfield.

Incoming junior David Kamali, from Sachse, Texas, has extensive club-level experience that will be of great benefit to the deep backfield.

Freshmen Ryan Sanders, Dillon Byrd and Ty Stukey round out the defense and could have opportunities from the bench as the season progresses. Drew Tonseth, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, is expected to redshirt this season.

Midfield

Hilton anchors the midfield. He will be joined by Ryan Hunter, a sophomore from Tulsa, Okla., who had a solid first year with five goals and an assist.

“I expect him to take on more of a leadership role in the midfield,” Harvey said of Hunter.

Preston Cox, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., produced two goals and five assists last year and with his added strength will provide help to the team.

Freshmen Kyle Davies, from Choctaw, Okla., and Dillon Stupka, from Durban, South Africa, add speed to the midfield. Davies can play either flank.

Prep teammates Jimmy Irwin, a freshman from Frisco, Texas, and Trevor Harmon, a freshman from Allen, Texas, should contribute to the depth in the middle as will Daniel Kapple, a sophomore from Oklahoma City.

Forward

Gang's veteran leadership and scoring ability on the front line will be a definite advantage to the Stars as the season progresses.

Joining Gang up front will be target man Francis Malalou, a junior from Gabon, Africa. Malalou's 6-foot-4 stature will be an advantage in relieving scoring pressure away from Gang. Drew Hall, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., also joins the fray and adds depth at forward.

Extensive team depth is an asset that cannot be overlooked and one that Harvey is utilizing to the fullest.

“Our numbers will help us in practice,” Harvey said. “It helps with competition for places. It gives everyone an edge in practice.”