CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State men's soccer will kick off the 2024 season as they go on the road to face off against No. 12 Maryville on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Last season, the Hillcats made their fourth trip in five tries to the GAC/MIAA Tournament Championship, finishing as runners-up to tournament champion Southern Nazarene. This year, the GAC/MIAA coaches tabbed RSU to again finish second behind the Crimson Storm with 31 total points and one of the seven first place votes in the league's preseason poll. They also received votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.

RSU returns 18 players from last year with Head Coach Derek Larkin bringing in 20 newcomers, including three Division I transfers. Of the returners, four were All-GAC/MIAA performers last year, including first teamer Marcos Vasallo who led the league in goals during the regular season as he found the back of the net 12 times.

The Hillcats will travel to St. Louis, Mo. where they will open up against No. 12 Maryville. In 2023, the Saints made it all the way to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II Championships before seeing their season come to an end in a tightly contested 3-2 match against GLVC rival Lewis. Under the leadership of new head coach Adam Hall in 2024, Maryville returns two All-GLVC honorees, defenseman Alberto Di Pierri and midfielder Mason Crew. Di Pierri helped the Saints' defense allow the fourth-lowest number of goals in the league last season with just 17, while Crew finished last season fourth in goals (7), and tied for fifth in points (18).

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

In the first match of the season for both sides, RSU and Maryville will meet at the Maryville Soccer Field on Thursday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.