DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University men's soccer team finished the 2016 campaign with the most wins overall and in conference during the Philip Wilson era. The Cougars are anxious to take another step forward as they ride into the 2017 season. 

Averett kicks off the season on Sept. 1 when they travel to play Hampden-Sydney. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. 

FIVE KEYS TO THE 2017 SEASON
PROGRESS
The Cougars are a year removed from finishing with the most wins the program has had since the 2013 season. In conference play, Averett completed the 2016 season with six wins, the most they have had since 2012. The Cougars have been progressing as a program over the past few years under the direction of fourth year head coach Philip Wilson. Look for his team to be primed and ready to take that next step in 2017. 

DAVID CUPERMAN 
Junior David Cuperman completed the 2016 season with five goals and four assists for a total of 14 points, which was tied for the team lead. This performance tabbed Cuperman with USA South Conference First Team and Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State Second Team honors. The Bogota, Colombia native will need to keep fulfilling his vital role for his team to meet their goals. 

ROAD WARRIORS
Averett heads into the 2017 season with eight scheduled home games and 10 scheduled away games. In 2016, the Cougars benefitted from receiving 11 home games to just seven away games. Averett will need to get comfortable with playing away from home as their first home game is not until their third match of the season when they play host to Guilford College on Sept. 8. Becoming road warriors will only increase the capacity for success that Averett will have this season. 

GOALIE DEPTH 
The Cougars will have the luxury of being deep at the last line of defense this season with the talented keepers that the roster possesses. The coaching staff feels comfortable inserting any of them between the posts, especially in important situations. Being strong at the keeper position will make life easier on the Cougar back line and in turn make it harder on their opponents to convert on their chances at net. 

ROSTER EXPERIENCE 
The 2017 roster is filled with experience as the majority of players have appeared in a varsity match. In fact, of the 27 current players on the roster, 17 of them have seen playing time on the varsity level. This statistic is so significant because it shows that the players know how to play at a stage of this caliber and how to handle the adversity that comes with a collegiate campaign. As the Cougars near postseason play, this experience will guide them to their team goals and aspirations.