United Soccer Coaches National Rankings
LCU: N/A
CMU: No. 16
 
CHAPS FLIGHT DECK
• The Lubbock Christian University men's soccer program will open their 2017 season at the Doubletree Soccer Showcase, a regional crossover event in Grand Junction, Colo. The Chaps kickoff the year against host Colorado Mesa University Friday at 8 p.m.
• Lubbock Christian will play a pair of games at the showcase, beginning with CMU and finishing up with South Dakota School of Mines at 12:30 p.m. (central) Sunday.
• The Chaparrals are coming off of 5-11-2 overall record in the 2016 season and a 4-8-2 record in Heartland Conference play.
• LCU finished 3-8-0 on the road in 2016 and stand 35-26-5 all-time on the road since their inaugural season in 2010.
 
STORY LINES
• Lubbock Christian is looking to return to winning ways after suffering their first below-.500 season in program history in 2016.
• The Chaparrals return nine members from last season and seven starters in total. Of those nine returners, six seniors are looking to capitalize on their final season of eligibility.
• LCU holds a 5-2-0 record in season openers and have managed to outscore opponents by a 19-10 margin. Although they hold a positive record to kick off the year, the Chaps two losses have both come on the road.
• The Chaparrals finished the 2016 season averaging 12.83 shots per game and five shots on goal per match.
• Lubbock Christian also finished 2016 ranked fifth in the Heartland Conference for fewest fouls committed (203) and sixth in the conference for fouls committed per game (11.28).
 
SCOUTING CMU
• The Mavericks begin their 2017 campaign ranked No. 16 in the nation, according to the United Soccer Coaches poll. They stand as one of two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) competitors to be ranked in the top-25 in preseason rankings.
• Despite a successful 14-2-5 overall record and a 12-0-2 RMAC record in 2016, CMU was held to a 2-2-3 against non-conference opponents.
• Colorado Mesa was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, last season, by fellow Heartland Conference member Midwestern State University in a 1-0 affair (11/13/2016) in Wichita Falls, Texas.
• CMU looks to gain offensive ground after losing senior Roy Abergil, who scored 23 of the Mavericks 42 goals in the 2016 campaign.
• Colorado Mesa University has had success at home in the past. In 2016, they marked a 9-0-2 home record for the year.
 
SERIES HISTORY WITH CMU
• The meeting with the Mavericks will be the first in program history for the Chaparrals.