Bolivar, Mo.- The SBU Men's soccer team is set to kick off their 2022 season this evening as they take on Southern Nazarene at 7:30 PM.
 
The Bearcats have new leadership at the helm with the hiring of Central Baptist alumni Sabelo Hlongwane. Coach Hlongwane joins the Bearcats with a variety of coaching and playing experiences from playing with the U20 South African National team, to coaching numerous colleges and soccer clubs. Hlongwane brings in a competitiveness and a passion for the development of his student-athletes.
 
"I believe that have quite a good group of players in terms of talent, mindset, and competitiveness. We also have a good group of Seniors who have experience and great leadership qualities for on and off the field. It is always important to have those qualities within a team. I am excited to see what the players bring to the table when it comes to the system we have been working on." -Coach Hlongwane.
 
The Bearcats bring in a lot of experience with 17 returning players from a year before, including 11 total Seniors. Many of the returning players helped take down Southern Indiana (a now Division 1 team) last year in a 1-0 victory. Coach Hlongwane uses the leadership, experience, and talent of his team to bring in a lot of excitement and instill that feeling across the team.
 
"Ultimately, it is a team sport and I believe that we have what it takes to compete against every team we come up against. It will boil down to the high level we choose to execute on Game Day. But from what I have seen so far in pre-season and preparation for the season, the boys are eager to get better every day. I hope to instill something in them that allows us to at least qualify for playoffs while looking at improving from that in the seasons to come. For now, it's a matter of taking it a day at a time and game at a time too."- Coach Hlongwane.