Sept. 17, 2015

Tournament Preview Video

Live Stats: UNM | LMU

Watch Free: New Mexico

SPRINGFIELD - The Missouri State men's soccer team (1-1-2) travels to the New Mexico Tournament this weekend. The Bears are set to face No. 17 University of New Mexico on Friday (Sept. 18) at 8 p.m. and No. 18 Loyola Marymount on Sunday (Sept. 20) at 1 p.m.

This is the only tournament the Bears will compete in this season. The last time MSU played in the N.M. Tournament was in 2012, where the Bears tied 2-2 in double overtime with No. 26 UC Irvine and lost 1-0 in double overtime against Dartmouth.

MSU head coach Jon Leamy says the team has been making many improvements in practice and the Bears are prepared for the higher level of competition awaiting them in Albuquerque.

"We haven't prepared any differently for this weekend than what we normally would do for any other game," said Leamy. "We have learned from our mistakes in previous games. We had a great week last week and we will keep building upon that. The team is getting stronger defensively and has been working on how to be more dangerous on the attack."

Senior captain, Brandon Barbero, was a freshman the last time the Bears made an appearance at the N.M. Tournament. Since his freshman season, Barbero has accumulated 24 shots, 9 shots on goal, and 1 goal. Last season, Barbero led all juniors with 1428 minutes played.

"I think this is going to be a big experience getting to face two top-20 teams," said Barbero. "It's something that we haven't been able to do before and I think this could really help us down the road."

Sophomore Liam Priestley has taken charge in the net for the Bears this season. The Bears are now on a three-game shutout streak and Priestley has continued his shutout streak to 347 minutes. After last week's performances, the Bears continue to climb the national rankings ladder on the defensive side coming in 17th for goals against average (0.44) and an impressive tie at 10th for shutout percentage (0.75).

"I think from the strikers, to the midfielders, to the backs, and the goalkeeper, we have been working really hard defensively as a team," said Priestley. "The whole team is very confident and very motivated to go out and get the wins we need to keep our shutout streak going."

The Bears return home and begin conference play on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. when they face MVC preseason favorite SIU Edwardsville.

#MSUBears­­­