Hamline men's soccer team won't have to go far to see if they can improve on last season's 3-12-3 record. 

The Pipers play the first of a dozen games on the familar terra cotta of Pat Paterson Field when they host Crown in the 2013 season opener August 30. Game time is 4:00 p.m.

Second year head coach Alex Morawiecki took stock of his team at the end of last year and decided they needed a dose of experience to help rebuild the team's fortunes. Five JC transfers are on the 2013 roster. Most of them will likely see the field when the Pipers host the Storm, who went 6-11-2 last year in the UMAC.

Add the transfer to the team's returning three seniors, four juniors and two sophomores and you have a deeper team than finished the season with a 10-0 romp over Finalndia a year ago. 

"It's been a fantastic training camp," Morawiecki said. "We have more energy and more depth than last year. By bringing in JC transfers, we have guys who already a lot about the college game. Our goal this seasin is to be relevant in the MIAC. That won't be easy to do -- it's a talented but balanced league. The bottom team can beat the top team."

Hamline has five games to play before opening MIAC play Sept. 18 vs. St. John's. Morawiecki hopes to improve on last year's final total of 30 goals in 18 games. he admits to do so will require a lot of folks chipping in.

"We have a lot of talented guys but it may end up being goals by committee," he said. Greg Northrop, an all-MIAC pick, is one of just three seniors on the roster. Northrop is the top returning goalscorer with five. Fellow senior Michael Murphy, another defender, nailed three last year. While their offensive help is appreciated, both are even more valuable on the back wall. Murphy led the team in minutes played last year and Northrop was third. 

Marko Doder, the other senior, is slated for midfield play. But he can score as well and be in position to better his total of two last year. Tyler Tallaksen and Connor Benson also recorded a pair last season. Both are expected to see considerable time attacking the net. Among the newcomers who may join them: transfer Gilbert Ghong and freshman Brandon DeLaRosa. 

Stuart Trench and Pat Hager are transfers who may step in and see immediate action in midfield, If they do, Morawiecki expects them to exert leadership immediately. "The transfers have upped our level of maturity on the field," he said. "They know to train. That shoud help cut down on the some of the errors that hurt us last year."

In goal, Derrick Mora is the incumbent but he may get pushed for playing time by Joey Matesi and Johnny Pucci. 

Morawiecki was membr of the last HU men's team to make the playoffs (2006). The conference coaches placed the Pipers 10th in the annual preseason poll. Morawiecki shrugged that off as no big deal. "This time of year, you get judged by what you have done in the past. That's over. We intend to be a difficult team to play this year."

With five non-conference games in the next 2 1/2 weeks before opening league play, Morawiecki said he feels good that the rotations should be in place by then. "We should have an idea of where we're at by then," he said. 

The first step in that direction starts August 30 against Crown.