RICHARDSON, Texas - With the 2024 regular season set to kick off next week, the Oklahoma Christian men's soccer program opens the new campaign being pegged seventh out of 11 teams in the 2024 Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the LSC coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members. 

Midwestern State was picked to finish first and defend their title as Lone Star Conference Champions, receiving 32 of 33 first place votes. The Mustangs are set to be led by Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Mere Escobar and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Juan Galindo. West Texas was picked to finish second with St. Mary's voted to finish third on the back of Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Johnny Thurbin. Rounding out the top five in the conference is Dallas Baptist at four and Texas A&M International with the fifth spot. 

Oklahoma Christian finished last season fifth in the Lone Star Conference with a 5-9-6 overall recordand 3-4-2 in the conference. The Eagles would close out their season by taking down St. Mary's in the first round of the LSC tournament before losing to the eventual champions, Midwestern State. Oklahoma Christian will look for offense from veteran Joep Claassen and LSC Offensive Player to Watch, Isaias Silva and rely on defense from transfer Jorge Blanc, who was named to the Defensive Player to Watch list. 

Oklahoma Christian is looking to set the tone under a new head coach, Neil Hilton. Hilton returns to his alma mater after coaching in the high school ranks and for the last three seasons as the Mid-America Christian University head coach. 

"Above all we have worked really hard on becoming a collective unit and creating our identity as a program for the season," Hilton said. "We have brought in a huge class which in itself creates lots of growth as a group in so many ways. I could not be more proud of how dedicated the boys have been this past week to become a group that is going to work for each other in every way."

Hilton is excited about where the team is and the effort that has been put into preparing for the upcoming season.

"The dedication we have shown this past week is the standard we have set as our minimum. If we continue to be this focused we will be ready to compete in our very good conference come October.

Oklahoma Christian will have two more scrimmages against high level opponents to put the final touches on the pitch before opening up regular season play against Newman University Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. from Eagle Soccer Field.

2024 LSC MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL