Mankato, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State soccer squad team opens 2010 preseason practice Monday with a 8 a.m., workout at the Pitch at Gage Towers.

The Mavericks welcome 26 faces into practice as they prepare for their 16th year of competition.

"One of the beauties of collegiate athletics every season brings new opportunity," said head coach Peter McGahey. "It also brings the same expectations for our program which is exciting.  We have four seniors who have made the national tournament every year and have an opportunity to leave a tremendous legacy behind at Minnesota State and pass that torch onto the next generation of Mavericks."

Minnesota State opens the 2010 season against Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich., at 3 p.m.

The Mavericks finished the 2009 season with a 13-5-2 record and was 9-3-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, which was good for fourth-place.

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