SAN DIEGO – It's a whole new year for Point Loma Nazarene University men's soccer. The team opens up the 2011 campaign with a non-conference tilt against Menlo College on Thursday. Though the Sea Lions went just 6-10 in 2010, the team doubled its win total from the prior season. Longtime men's soccer Head Coach Tim Hall would certainly be satisfied with that same margin in 2011.

PLNU's fate will be determined by veterans as Hall added only five newcomers to a roster that has just 19 players, 14 of which are returnees and eight of whom are starters.

The Green and Gold returns most of its offensive players and will lean heavily on forwards/midfielders Austin Fares (16 points), Griffin Fuller (10 points), Austin Rovazzini (5 points), Jeff Serbin (4 points), Francis Furlan (3 points), Tyler Hall (3 points) and Gustavo Jimenez (2 points).

Also coming back are sophomore keepers Keith Cline and Carter Phillips. The duo split time in the net last year and will battle for starting spots in 2011. The defense boasts starters JJ Reading, Grant Cowles, Paul Fuchs and Joaquin Hernandez.

The newcomers are Roberto Ornelas, Isaac Gomez, Erick Friessen, Tyler Williams and Paul Malherbe. Their accomplishments are listed below:

Roberto Ornelas is a 5'10”, 170lb junior defender who attended San Diego State for two seasons… he prepped at Helix Charter HS for Coach Jeff Kepper… team was the Grossmont South League Champions in '08 and in '09 was the Division 2 finalists… awards include second team and first team All-Grossmont South, second team All-CIF, second team Division 2, All-San Diego Section team, Union-Tribune Athlete of the Week (Feb. 10, 2009) and Union-Tribune All-Academic team… best game scored a goal that helped team erase a 3-1 deficit in the final 13 minutes of play.

Roberto was born on Nov. 11, 1991, in San Diego to parents Juan and Adriana, siblings are Tony and Sergio… lists exercising, listening to music, hanging out with friends and going to the beach as hobbies… came to PLNU for the chance to play soccer and the location… said, “Being able to see the ocean from the school is something many schools cannot offer… the atmosphere and people around the campus here are all so friendly and welcoming”… a kinesiology major.

Isaac Gomez is a 6'0”, 185lb junior defender who comes to PLNU from Cal State San Bernardino where he played for Coach Noah Kooiman… prepped at Etiwanda HS for Coach Brent Broadhurst... was team captain there as well as team MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Baseline League… best game was when he scored a goal late against Upland... also played football.

Isaac was born on Jan. 12, 1990, in Montclair, Calif. … parents are Isac and Elidia, siblings are Alejandra, Vanessa and Jacqueline… enjoys fishing, working out and watching his favorite team, Manchester United… came to PLNU because of the athletic training program, it's not too far from home and for the great location… a exercise science major who hopes to work for a professional sports team.

Tyler Williams is a 5'10” 150lb junior mid who competed at Centennial HS for Coach Jeff Vaughn… as a Golden Hawk he earned the Silver Boot Award and was second team all-league as a senior.

Tyler was born on Aug. 29, 1991, in Bakersfield, Calif., to parents Gregory and Katherine… has one sister, Elizabeth… dad played baseball and was on the swim team at Bakersfield College…  Tyler enjoys surfing, playing the guitar, ping-pong, volleyball and ultimate Frisbee… came to PLNU for the Christian atmosphere, the classroom size and friends… a managerial and organization communications major.

Paul Malherbe is a 6'0”, 175 lb freshman midfielder at Great Oak HS, Paul played three seasons for Coach Adam Skumawitz earning first team all-league, first team All-Valley, first team All-CIF and League Defensive MVP… team was the CIF Southern Section Champions (2009), and league champs in 2009 and 2011… in his best season scored two goals and had 11 assists.

Paul was born on Dec. 7, 1992, in Allentown, Pa… parents are William and Suzanne, siblings are Suzanne and Stephanie… lists hobbies as sports, outdoor activities, art and music… came to PLNU because the school is “the perfect fit for me because it's a small Christian school that is academically strong with a beautiful location”… a bio-chem major with the goal of becoming a doctor.

Erick Friessen is a 6'2”, 180lb freshman defender from Guadalajara, Mexico… he prepped at Douglas MacArthur and Johnson High Schools in Texas… his high school coaches were Lee Crisp and Mike South… earned two varsity letters… MacArthur finished third in district… scored two goals with seven assists as a sophomore and had four goals and six assists as a junior… had an assist against No. 1 Churchill in team's 2-1 upset win… also played tennis.

Erick was born on March 20, 1991, to parents Richard and Cecilia… siblings are Richard and Melanie… fan of Manchester United, the TV show “Two and a Half Men” and of player Ruud van Nistelrooy… undeclared major.