They have been practicing against their own for two weeks at Paterson Field. The HU men's soccer team now gets a chance to see how they fare against opposition when they kick off the 2019 season against Lawrence August 30.  It is the first meeting between the two schools since 2001 when HU earned a 2-1 victory.

Fortunately for the Pipers, they will be on their own turf for their 4:30 p.m. opener and a second non-conference game against Wisconsin Lutheran on September 8. A pair of road NC tilts (at UMAC Favorite and 2018 NCAA participant) Wis-Superior and Wartburg) serve as two more tests for Alex Morawiecki's team prior to jumping headfirst into MIAC action against St. Olaf at Paterson on September 18. 

Morawiecki starts his eighth season at the helm with eight of the nine players who registered a point last season and a total of 20 returnees in all. The six person senior class includes Stefan Kinsinger, who led the team in goals last year with six and Adam King, who topped all Pipers with 16 points (five goals, six assists) and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All Region team for a second straight season. The pair have accounted for 35 goals in their time here. Also back to aid the attack is sophomore Logan Weller, who netted four in his first season on the Paterson pitch. 

In the midfield, seniors Ben Sorenson and Ryan Pyle have been steadying forces from the first day they arrived on campus. The competition for the other middle positions is expected to be wide open with four sophomores who saw playing time last year scrapping with six of the eight newcomers on the HU roster for playing time. 

On defense, Jack Reddan, a senior who earned MIAC Honorable Mention recognition last fall, returns as does fellow junior Seif El-Fatairy, who moved up at times and scored three goals. Soph Alex Rouse recorded a pair of assists from the back line in 15 games in 2018. Several others who saw playing time are back as well. 

In goal, senior Malachy Zamacona has allowed just 12 goals in 15 games played (including three complete game shutouts) in his first three seasons here. 

A year ago, the Pipers started fast, winning their first three non-conference games by a combined 10-2 margin. The momentum kept up all year and HU advanced to the MIAC postseason for the third time in four years in 2018. HU has finished the past three seasons with an overall record of .500 or better. 

In addition to the two NC games and the MIAC opener, the seven game home slate has matchups with Carleton, Macalester, St. Mary's and Gustavus Adolphus.