RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's soccer team will open the 2019 season on their home turf. The Hardrockers are set to face off with the Texas A&M International Dustdevils Friday morning at 11 a.m. The game will be played at Sioux Park Stadium in Rapid City. This will also be the first home athletic event of the 2019-2020 school year.
 
In 2018, the Hardrockers finished with a 2-13-3 record. The Hardrockers look to be more competitive in their 2019 campaign under the helm of new head coach Ryan Thompson. They return key players such as senior Owen Winger in midfield. Winger was named to the 2019 RMAC Preseason Players to Watch List. In addition to returning a solid group of upperclassmen, the Hardrockers had an influx of new players in the 2019 recruiting class that will give them depth across many positions.
 
"We are very excited to get our season under way and it's been a long two weeks of our guys playing against each other and its finally time for us to play against another school," Thompson said. "This week will be a big test for a lot of our guys, we have some new faces and some players that redshirted last year who are hungry to prove themselves and play as many minutes as possible."
 
The Dustdevils finished their 2018 season with an 8-7-2 record.  They were tabbed to finish seventh in the Lone Star Conference's preseason poll.
 
"Friday against Texas A&M International is a great start to see where we are talent wise as well as how fit and physical we are. They will be a tough opponent looking for their first win of the season just like us", said Thompson.