Lethbridge – For the first time, the Canada West men's soccer schedule kicks off before Labour Day and the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's soccer team opens the 2016 schedule Wednesday night in Winnipeg versus the Winnipeg Wesmen.
 
Kick-off for Wednesday night's game is scheduled for 7:00PM CST, with game two going at 4:00PM CST. Both games will be webcast on www.canadawest.tv
 
Canada West expanded the men's soccer schedule from 12 games to 16 games, hence the early start to the season.
 
For the second year in a row, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's soccer team went into the final weekend of the season last year with the opportunity to qualify for post-season action but narrowly missed after the Saskatchewan Huskies earned six points.
 
A tie and a win during that final weekend, left the 'Horns only four points out of the final playoff spot.
 
The 'Horns return 12 players from last season's squad and will count on the conference's second leading goal scorer Chris Rushworth to lead the offensive attack again this season.  Rushworth scored 10 of the 'Horns 24 goals a year ago.
 
The team will also lean heavily on returners Curtis Contenti, Domenic Rigaux and Dominique Point du Jour as they push for that elusive post-season berth.
 
Last season, the 'Horns swept the Wesmen in Lethbridge with wins of 2-1 and 4-2.
 
A year ago, the Wesmen finished at the bottom of the Prairie Division with a 1-10-1 record and allowed a conference high 37 goals against.
 
The 'Horns will remain on the road next week, facing the Mount Royal Cougars and Calgary Dinos. The 'Horns 2016 home opener is Friday September 9^th when the 'Horns welcome the Alberta Golden Bears to town.