DC Picked to Finish Seventh in HCAC Preseason Poll

GREENWOOD, IND. – The Defiance College men's soccer team has been selected to finish seventh this season by fellow coaches of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Last year, Defiance finished with a 5-13-2 overall record and ended the season in the seventh spot in the HCAC with a 3-5-1 mark. This year, a new era in Defiance men's soccer begins as Jordan Valentine takes over for his first season as a head coach. Valentine will look to the upperclassmen returners as they strive for a postseason appearance.

Senior Blayne Robbins (Galva, Ill. /Miamisburg), junior Damian Koester (Englewood/Brookville) and sophomore Nick Kleptz (Troy) were all named to the HCAC Preseason Players to Watch List.

Robbins will anchor the Yellow Jackets defense as a senior, following a season where he appeared in 18 games, starting 17. He also scored one goal and compiled two points. Robbins and his fellow Yellow Jacket defenders only allowed 1.65 goals per game last season.

Koester will return as the primary netminder for the Purple and Gold. He played in 17 games with 13 starts. Koester saw 1503:05 minutes of playing time where he had 71 saves, two shutouts and finished the season 4-9-2.

Kleptz returns after a strong rookie season. He led the team in points (10), goals (five), and game winning goals (two). He was also tied for second for shots on goal (10) and fourth on the team for shots (18).

The Yellow Jackets will open the 2015 season at Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field when they host Trine (Ind.) University on Tuesday, Sept. 1 in non-conference play. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m.