PUEBLO, Colo. (September 4, 2024) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo men's soccer opens the 2024 season campaign at home this week and will host the CSU Pueblo Kickoff at Art & Lorraine Gonzales.

The ThunderWolves, fresh off another trip to the National Championship game, will take on Western Oregon in the season opener on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will battle Northwest Nazarene on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Also on Thursday, Jessup University, out of Rocklin, California will take on Northwest Nazarene from Idaho, starting at 4 p.m. and on Saturday, JU will play WOU beginning at 10 a.m.

The Oliver Twelvetrees-led ThunderWolves are back on the pitch and showcase a revamped roster with the addition of several new student-athletes this season.

Of the 13 newly signed members of the Pack, nine have experience at the college level.

Key returners for the Pack include two-time All-American and 2x-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in Shjon Andrews (Gr., Longmont, Colo.).

Andrews, helped to anchor the ThunderWolves back line along with returners Ignatius DeMark (Sr., Phoenix, Ariz.), Alon Firdman (Sr., Barcelona, Spain) and Dylan Zavatini (Sr., Santa Catarina, Brazil) who held opponents to 0.88 goals per game and .130 shot percentage. The defense finished tied atop the RMAC in defense.

Offensively, the Pack has seven players returning that recorded at least one goal last season.

Controlling the middle of the pitch will be veteran Caio Oliveira (Sr., Espigao d'Oeste, Brazil) who set a new program record last year for assists in a season with 13 dimes in 26 games played.

At the net, the ThunderWolves will have several key players with plenty of experience. Ryan Nun (So., Broomfield, Colo.) will look to build off his experience through last season's postseason run.

Tristan Whitlock (R-Jr., Lincoln, Neb.), Will Whitworth (R-Jr., Exeter, England), and Ruben Volkert (Gr., Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) have all seen valuable playing time between the posts.

In Sight for the Pack

After opening weekend, the Pack will remain at home and battle Dallas Baptist on Thursday, Sep. 12 at 7 p.m. and play University of Texas at Tyler on Saturday, Sep. 14 at 1 p.m. at Gonzales Stadium. 

How to Follow the Pack

Thursday, September 5, 2024: CSU Pueblo vs. Western Oregon 7 p.m. (Live stats) (Video)
Saturday, September 7, 2024: CSU Pueblo vs. Northwest Nazarene 1 p.m. (Live stats) (Video)

X (Twitter) - @gothunderwolves
Facebook - @CSU Pueblo Athletics

Opponent Capsules

Western Oregon University Wolves
Record: 0-0-0 (0-0-0 GNAC)

Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks
Record: 0-0-0 (0-0-0 GNAC)

Jessup University Warriors
Record: 0-0-0 (0-0-0 PACWest)
 

-PACK-