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FIRST GAME: Tonight, at UNC Greensboro (7 p.m.).
HOME OPENER: Saturday, vs. Elon (7 p.m.).
LAST SEASON: 11-3-6 (5-2-2 Atlantic 10, fourth place), eliminated 1-1 (penalty kicks) to UNC Wilmington in first round of NCAA tournament.
TOP PLAYERS: Andres Cuero, Sr., F; Evan James, Jr., F; Isaac Cowles, Jr., D; Jennings Rex, So., F/MF; Charles Rodriguez, Jr., D.
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: Will Mayhew, Fr., MF.
NOTING THE 49ERS: Charlotte is ranked 25th in College Soccer News' preseason poll ... Cuero is only senior on roster ... Charlotte's NCAA tournament appearance last season was its first since 1997 ... Mayhew is a transfer from Wake Forest who played at Concord Robinson High ... Charlotte has an attractive - and challenging - nonconference home schedule, including Wake Forest (Sept. 14), South Carolina (Sept. 25) and Clemson (Sept. 28) ... The Atlantic 10 tournament is Nov. 11-14 at the 49ers' Transamerica Field, but only six of the league's 14 teams qualify.
QUOTE: "We've got the strongest squad we've had since I've been here. The excitement coming back was how fit and how strong everybody looked. Last year was a major step forward for us to get back in the national tournament for the first time in 10 years. Now we want to make major inroads there." - Fourth-year coach Jeremy Gunn
