SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State men's soccer season gets underway with the first of three exhibition matches when the Bears host Northeastern State (Okla.) on Friday, Aug. 12 at 7:00 p.m. This will be the third time in five seasons the two programs have played a preseason friendly, the most recent match up coming in 2015 when the Bears and RiverHawks fought to a double overtime scoreless draw in Tahlequah, Okla.
 
Entering his 25^th season at the helm, Jon Leamy looks forward to what the Bears can do this season.
 
"It is going to be an exciting year", commented Leamy. "The fun part about preseason is you get to see the team in a competition setting and we will be able to get a good feel for not only how the players are individually but also as a team."
 
Missouri State returns nine starters from last season that saw the Bears finish fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference with an overall record of 6-6-5, 3-3-1 in conference play. The Bears never lost when going to overtime in 2015, either winning in 100 minutes of action or tying in double overtime. The five ties by the club were the most recorded in program history since 2008.
 
The 2015 season was highlighted by a 2-1 decision over No. 18 Loyola Marymount at the N.M. Tournament. Sophomore-to-be Jake Buckle scored both goals in the match, becoming the first Bear to score twice in a game since Jack Roberts did so against Drake in 2013. The last time MSU defeated a ranked team was in 2011 when the Bears topped No. 4 Creighton, 1-0, in Springfield.
 
The Bears will travel to former MVC foe Creighton on Wednesday (Aug. 17) for a 7 p.m. tilt before returning home for the final exhibition match up on Friday (Aug. 19) against Missouri S&T at 7 p.m.