LINDSBORG, Kan. – Oklahoma City University men's soccer will open its second season under head coach Billy Martin with a non-conference contest at Bethany (Kan.) on Saturday evening.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Anderson Stadium in Lindsborg, Kan. Bethany is picked to finish ninth in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll. 
 
OCU holds a 4-0 advantage in the all-time series against Bethany. The teams last met on Sept. 17, 2019 with the Stars edging the Swedes 2-1 at Brian Harvey Field.  
 
Coming off a 7-3-2 season (played in the spring) OCU is picked to finish third in the Sooner Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Stars return 17 letter winners who intend on improving on that projection. 
 
TOP RETURNEES 

• Senior Lucas de Freitas returns for his second season with the Stars after earning Sooner Athletic Conference newcomer of the year and first-team All-SAC honors in the spring. De Freitas led the SAC in goals (1.27 a contest) and points (2.64 per match)
 
• Senior Danilo Vilani was named Sooner Athletic Conference goalkeeper of the year after the spring 2021 season. Vilani recorded five shutouts while turning in 38 saves and a 1.27 goals-against average
 
• Sophomore Tommaso Belli, senior Guilherme Grave and senior Harvey Paul return after earning second-team all-Sooner Athletic Conference honors in the spring. Belli finished with four goals and nine points, Grave notched two goals and Paul chipped in a goal, five assists and seven points during the spring season. 
 
NEW FACES 

• Freshman Caden Ball arrives at OCU after earning Oklahoman all-city and Oklahoma Coaches Association all-state honors at Edmond Memorial High School. He helped lead
the Bulldogs to the Class 6A boys title game in May. 
 
• Junior Aidan White is a transfer from Rose State College. He recorded two goals and two assists in 10 starts as a sophomore last season. 
 
MEET THE COACH
 
• The 2021 season will be Billy Martin's second season as OCU head men's and women's soccer coach and his 20th overall working the soccer sidelines for his alma mater. After wrapping up his playing career for the Chiefs in the early 90s, Martin was an assistant coach for Brian Harvey for 19 seasons. He then left OCU to serve as head coach at Rose State College for six seasons before returning to his alma mater in 2020

• Martin guided Rose State to a 74-35-2 record with four NJCAA Region II regular-season championships and two tournament titles. Martin was Rose State's first coach

• Martin has mentored youth talent on the high school and club soccer levels. Martin has been Bishop McGuinness High School's head coach as well as Oklahoma Football Club and Edmond Soccer Club coach. Martin took Oklahoma Soccer Association coach of the year in 2009 after leading his boys team to the state title

• Martin played an integral part on OCU's first team to reach the national tournament in 1991, picking up six goals, five assists and 17 points from 1989-91. Martin also played professionally
 
MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• OCU will play eight home matches at Brian Harvey Field on campus starting with a non-conference contest against Bethel (Kan.) on Tuesday, Aug. 24
 
• The Sooner Athletic Conference home opener will be against Mid-America Christian on Tuesday, Sept. 28
 
• Admission prices for home games is $7 for adults (age 13 and up) and $5 for children. OCU students, faculty and staff are admitted free of charge with a valid I.D. 
 
QUOTING COACH MARTIN 
 
Martin took a couple of minutes from his busy schedule to share his thoughts on the upcoming men's soccer season. 
 
Question: What will be the key for the men's team to reach its goals this season? 
Answer: Of course injuries are always a huge factor and consistency in the SAC conference. 
 
Question: What aspect of play do you expect to see the most improvement from since last season? 
Answer: A little more consistency with home games. Our goal is always to win all of our home games.