Head coach Tony Tocco hopes the Rockhurst men's soccer team can get off to a strong start heading into the 2025 season. The Hawks finished last season with a 6-3-1 record after going winless while allowing 20 goals in their first seven games.

"We were playing much better at the end of last year. We have to keep our cool and be smarter this year," said Tocco, who ranks second among intercollegiate men's soccer coaches with 739 career wins.

The Hawks open the season at home against 23rd-ranked Fort Hays State on Thursday afternoon and host William Jewell on Saturday night.

Rockhurst led the GLVC in scoring last season, averaging 1.8 goals per game. Sophomore forward Blake Barrick scored six goals and four assists last season. Sophomore forward Immanuel Wayoro and junior forward Sam McIntosh give the Hawks added scoring punch up top.

The Hawks should also be strong in the midfield, despite losing an all-conference player in Jacopo Belardo. Transfers Jack Dean and Caden Hoehns should fight for starting midfield spots. Evan Hill and Danielle Bizzarri add experience in the middle.

"We will be improved with our midfield. It will be tough to make up for Jacopo on offense and defense," Tocco said. "Jack Dean is a really good midfielder who has great offensive ability. Hopefully we can get a couple of people to move in there and help us."

The defense should be solid with the return of Noah Brende, Kaden Cripe, Asier Olano and Rhys Laws. The foursome combined to play over 4,800 minutes while scoring 17 points last year. Cripe will replace the injured Caden Pfeil as the team's center back.

Franco Brunoro and Stefano Camerlengo are competing for the starting goalkeeper spot. Brunoro started 16 games last year. Camerlengo is a transfer from Missouri-Kansas City.

Rockhurst finished seventh in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Men's Soccer Poll. The Hawks will play the top five teams in the GLVC poll (Lewis, McKendree, Maryville, Indianapolis and Missouri-St. Louis) in the first half of their conference schedule.

"The strength is our offense. I think we can be one of the top three teams in the league if we can tighten our defense because our offense is so good," Tocco added.