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Prep Soccer Preview: Bulldogs learning on the go

In year two, things are getting easier for Harrisburg soccer head coach Greg McCulloch.

That doesn't mean he still doesn't have some challenges.

When McCulloch took over, he only had five returning players. This season, the Bulldog soccer coach welcomes back 16 returners.

Two seniors, Garrett Beers and Austin Stevens highlight the varsity roster, along with four juniors in Dawson Brown, Dominic Ammon, Levi Titsworth and Zach Cowsert.

The sophomore class includes, Brock Bergman, Christian Oliver, Eli Shires, AJ Hankins, Devin Davis, Nolan Bebout, Landon Simpson, Terry Bethel, Braxton Lane and Peyton Moran. Two freshmen, Quinyon Thomas and Zach Bethel round out the roster.

Still, the Bulldogs are young and that's where McCulloch knows his team will experience some growing pains.

"Last year, we were playing a varsity schedule with a junior varsity roster. This year, I suspect we'll do better. The freshmen class isn't as big as I would like for it to be this year, but expectations wise, if we could get to .500, I would be happy."

Harrisburg started off the season 1-2 at the St. Anthony Tournament, beating Altamont 2-0 and falling 11-0 and 3-0 to Alton Marquette and Greenville, respectively.

On the pitch, McCulloch feels like his team is pretty solid after the work they put in during the summer hours.

"We're pretty solid, on both offense and defense," McCulloch said. "We have a good group of 14 players and those players are much improved over last year. Even though the summer program is optional, you really have to be there in order to be successful and for the most part, all of these guys were there this summer and worked really hard.

With realistic expectations awaiting them, McCulloch is preaching the "one game at a time" mentality, while working on building leadership and discipline within the program.

"I've talked to them a lot about just taking one game at a time," he said. "A lot of times you will have seniors that can show these younger guys the ropes and lead by example, because of their experience and keep some discipline. I still don't know if we have that kind of leadership the way we will next year, but we try to really stay focused on what our goals are and really, I think they believe they can win some games."

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Register, Eldorado Journal & The Gallatin County Democrat. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.

Aug. 31 at Mt. Carmel 4:30 PM

Sept. 2 at Murphysboro 11 AM

Sept. 5 at Massac Co. 4:30 PM

Sept. 7 at Effingham St. Anthony 4:30 PM

Sept. 9 ANNA-JONESBORO 11 AM

Sept. 12 CHRIST OUR ROCK LUTHERAN 4:30 PM

Sept. 18 OLNEY-RICHLAND CO. 4:30 PM

Sept. 19 HERRIN 4:30 PM

Sept. 21 MASSAC CO. 4:30 PM

Sept. 23 at Mt. Vernon 11 AM

Sept. 26 PINCKNEYVILLE 4:30 PM

Sept. 28 at Anna-Jonesboro 4:30 PM

Sept. 30 NEWTON 11 AM

Oct. 3 at Centralia 4:15 PM

Oct. 5 MT. CARMEL 5 PM