CANYON, Texas – The Buffaloes of West Texas A&M open the 2018 home schedule on Monday afternoon as they host the ThunderWolves of Colorado State-Pueblo at The Pitch inside of the Buffalo Sports Park in Canyon.
 
COLORADO STATE-PUEBLO
The ThunderWolves enter Monday following a 1-0 season opening victory over the Newman Jets on Friday at Gonzales Stadium in Pueblo. Santiago Tinta's goal in the 61st minute was the game-winner for the Pack.
 
CSUP is coming off of a 3-11-4 campaign in 2017 as they finished the league schedule with a mark of 3-7-4. The Pack have added 17 newcomers for the 2018 season while Brayden Ballman and Tyler Harvey highlight the CSUP returners.
 
Roy Stanley is now in his 23rd season at the helm of the ThunderWolves, making three NCAA Postseason Appearances while being named the RMAC Coach of the Year on two occasions.
 
THE SERIES
Monday afternoon will mark the 17th all-time meeting on the pitch between West Texas A&M and Colorado State-Pueblo. The Buffs have dominated the series, 14-1-1 with WT winning the last four meeting between the two squads.
 
THE LAST MEETING
Five second half goals sparked the Buffs to a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Gonzales Stadium in Pueblo on August 9th of last season. The Pack jumped out to an early lead in the 38th minute before WT responded in the second half with five goals in the second half by five different Buffs while Alexander Vencel registered five save to pick-up the win in goal.
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
MSU Texas was tabbed atop of the Heartland Conference Preseason Poll announced on August 21st. The Mustangs picked up 22 of the possible 24 first place votes for 285 points followed by St. Edward's (one first place, 254), West Texas A&M (one first place, 241), Texas A&M-International (203), St. Mary's (176), Rogers State (157), UT Permian Basin (140), Lubbock Christian (120), Newman (94), Dallas Baptist (90), Eastern New Mexico (68) and Oklahoma Christian (44).
 
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
WT seniors Troy Reeves, Julio Vargas and Ivan Ulloa were named to the 2018 Heartland Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Team announced on August 21st. WT has finished third in a loaded conference the past two seasons with a pair of appearances in the Heartland Conference Tournament.
 
Twelve Heartland men's soccer players were named to the 2018 Heartland Men's Soccer Preseason All-Heartland Team. Reigning Freshman of the Year Carlos Flores lead a group of three Midwestern State players that includes fellow midfielder Sebastian Venegas and defender Alex Mullet. St. Edward's duo Dylan Armstrong and Cody Spitzer were named to the team for the Hilltoppers. Texas A&M International defender Luis Diaz and 2017 First Team All-Heartland selection in goalkeeper Carlos Herrera both represented the Dustdevils. St. Mary's and UT Permian Basin each earned one Preseason All-Heartland selection in Pato Botello Faz (StMU) and Stefan Faria (UTPB).
 
WT HEAD COACH BUTCH LAUFFER
Butch Lauffer enters his 28th season as head men's soccer coach at West Texas A&M. Lauffer is now the longest tenured head coach in West Texas A&M history in a storied career dating back to 1991. Lauffer reached the 500-win plateau on September 30th of last season in Odessa, Texas with a dominating 13-2 win over UT Permian Basin.
 
During his tenure, Lauffer has coached the men to 26 consecutive non-losing seasons and the women to 12-plus victories in 12 seasons. Lauffer has recorded a 316-145-34 (.661) record at the helm of the Buffs with a 506-212-51 (.680) overall record at WT.