The Fort Hays State men's soccer team will be in action at Colorado Christian University to open the 2012 season. The Tigers open with the Cougars on Friday evening (Aug. 31) at 5 pm (mountain time)/6 pm (central time). They turn around the next day to face South Dakota School of Mines at 3 pm (mountain time)/4 pm (central time) in a neutral site game on Colorado Christian's home field.

Fort Hays State went 1-1-1 in exhibition play to get ready for the 2012 season, which included a tie against Division I Central Arkansas and a win over Barton (Kan.) Community College. They fell at Hastings College in the final exhibition.

Diego Cabral is the top returner for the Tigers this year after earning Daktronics All-America Third Team and South Central Region First Team honors as a true freshman in the midfield last year. The Asuncion, Paraguay native led the team and South Central Region in assists with 12 and ranked third in NCAA Division II. He had four multi-assist games in 2011.

Ricardo Yeverino was also an all-region first team selection as a forward, but is likely to redshirt this year as he's sidelined by injury. He led the South Central Region in goals last year with 15. Forwards Tomas Mares, Daniel Peralta, and Jaccob Rangel are likely going to have to fill the void currently left by Yeverino at forward. Tanner Brock has also emerged as a solid player in the midfield for the Tigers after a good true freshman campaign.

The Tigers burst onto the Division II scene in a big way in 2011, going 11-5-2 in the inaugural year of soccer at FHSU. The Tigers were one of the top programs in the South Central Region last year, but now are part of the Central Region, which is primarily made of the teams in the MIAA. After being tabbed as the preseason favorite in the MIAA, the Tigers could have a good shot at the NCAA playoffs this year.

The matches this weekend mark the first meeting with each school. This will be the first time the Tigers play in Colorado during the regular season. All three matches against Colorado schools last year occurred in Hays.

The Tigers are looking for a win in the season opener for the second straight year after defeating Adams State (Colo.) last year 1-0 in Hays.