FORT WORTH, Texas - Texas Wesleyan men's soccer head coach Steve Jones is pleased to welcome the return of 14 letterwinners and an exciting group of 20 newcomers to fall workouts this week, in preparation for the 2003 season.
     The team will engage two-a-day workouts for the remainder of this week and will host a scrimmage Saturday at Martin Field. They will also host another scrimmage on August 20, at home.
     The Rams are coming off of a 6-11 season where they finished fifth in conference, narrowly missing the postseason.
     "We think we have a good mix of experienced returnees and talented newcomers to work with," Jones said. We are a young team but we return a lot of starters. This is the time of year where you like to see all of your new players meshing together with the returning players."
     Of the returning players, the Rams return nine starters from a season ago, including sophomore defender Eddie Hernandez.
     Hernandez was named second-team all-conference. The El Paso, native finished last season with one assist and led a defense that was first in the conference in goals allowed per game with an average of 2.06.
     Also returning is sophomore forward Travis Mauldin. The Midlothian, Texas, native led the team with 10 goals and two assists. Mauldin had two multi-goal games last season.
     With all of the returning talent and promising newcomers, the Rams still must find a replacement at goalkeeper. Second-team all-conference performer Josh Gibbs ended a stellar career last season and leaves the Rams with some doubts in net.
     Freshman Steven Deering hopes to erase those doubts. Deering is the only goalkeeper in the program.
     "We are a little thin at goalkeeper this season," Jones said. "I think Steven will be a good fit for us. He has played club soccer at a very high level and should help our team out this season."
     The Rams open the season on Aug. 23, against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Martin Field.