When a team loses their top scorer and assist man, most people would see the upcoming year as a rebuilding year.

But for the Hilltopper men’s soccer team, that’s not the case.

Western lost its top goal scorer and point leader Trey Alexander to eligibility. The senior forward was an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and led last year’s 5-11-1 team with 11 goals and 23 total points.

Brandon Bailey, the 2004 team’s leader in assists with four, also completed his eligibility.

Even with losing Alexander and Bailey, Coach David Holmes has a positive outlook on the season ahead.

“This team has worked hard all through the off-season. We’re two weeks out of the preseason, and I’m seeing positive results,” Holmes said.

Senior midfielder and all-Missouri Valley Conference preseason selection Richard Mupfudze agrees.

“We are really starting to really become a cohesive unit, being together this season has helped a lot,” he said.

The team has a solid core of talent returning in 10 upperclassmen.

Redshirt junior Daniel Payne, the Toppers’ leading scorer in 2003, will return after sitting out last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Holmes said he believes the experience will help prepare the younger players for more time on the field. Now he must decide which players will spend the most time on the field.

“We’ve got a good line up,” he said. “Obviously players like Richard and Alex Shiekh, but guys like Steven Medlock, who’s a great contributor, and Daniel Payne, a player that teams will have to key on because of his speed.”

Sophomore Kyle Schroeder will be the starting goalkeeper. He led the team with 62 saves last season and saved 68.9 percent of the shots he faced.

The battle going on for back-up goalkeeper has Holmes excited.

“We have incoming freshman Pat Pittinger, and (junior) Ryan Simpson competing for goalie, and even though Kyle will start, I see little difference between the three of them,” Holmes said. “They are all great talents.”

The team will be tested early this season, as they travel to Chicago over Labor Day weekend to play No. 17 Northwestern.

The Toppers’ home opener is at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 against Longwood.

Junior midfielder Alex Shiekh says the team is in better condition for the season ahead.

“We as a team have to be on the same page to be successful, and we are all in better shape than last year, so we can focus on our main goal: winning the Missouri Valley.”

Reach David Harten at sports@wkuherald.com.