HELENA, Mont. – The Carroll College men's soccer team begins the season in earnest Thursday at Nelson Stadium when it plays host to the University of Lethbridge.
 
The Saints and Pronghorns met a season ago and Carroll won 4-1 but the score doesn't reflect the competitive match and head coach Doug Mello is prepared for a battle Thursday afternoon.
 
"Last year we came away with a 4-1 win but they were a very talented team," Mello said. "We are hoping to for a similar outcome but we are going to have to put together a good game plan and continue our improvement."
 
The Pronghorns finished the 2015 season with a 5-5-2 record and when they enter the pitch at Nelson Stadium they will already have three games under their belts.
 
Carroll played an exhibition match against Sheridan College Sunday and cruised to a 4-0 win but there have been a few injuries since and five projected starters may be unavailable for the match.
 
"We are a little nicked up and it isn't from Sunday's match, but our practices have been really competitive," Mello said. "Nobody is trying to whack each other but it is pretty hard-nose ball. I've had to remind the guys to lighten up a bit in practice."
 
Mello hopes the team continues to improve both as a unit and individual fitness level.
 
"I think we are still a little lacking on the fitness side. About half the guys are where they need to be and the rest are playing catch up and that is a little bit frustrating," Mello said. "Talent level is through the roof; we've got the makings of a team that can do a lot of things. Our speed is improved and we've got a lot more options to score goals. It should be very exciting soccer for our fans"
 
The teams take to the pitch at 4 p.m. and the match will be live streamed via the Carroll Athletics YouTube channel.