COOS BAY — Last year provided a landmark season for the Southwestern Oregon Community College men’s soccer program as the Lakers advanced to the NWAACC Final Four for the first time.

For an encore this year, an influx of returning players and new talent gives second-year coach Ray Fabien optimism of a similar season.

“I think we have the potential to be better than we were last year,” Fabien said as the Lakers prepared for their league opener.

The team is on the road today at Tacoma and Saturday at Highline to open NWAACC play.

Last year, the Lakers had a few standouts, though several were sophomores who completed their eligibility.

“I’m excited about this team because of the talent we have coming in to fill what we lost last year,” Fabien said.

The Lakers have 25 players — 10 sophomores and 15 freshmen — a group that is athletic and fast.

“We have a nucleus of good kids who play really well together,” Fabien said. “It will be a very exciting team to come and watch.”

What the Lakers don’t have is a true standout, which is just fine with sophomore Eudoro Guizar, one of the team captains.

“We weren’t as together as a team (last year) as we are this year,” Guizar said. “There’s no stars. We’re one team.”

Several sophomores will be called on to provide leadership, including Guizar and fellow midfielders Stuart Aiu and Sam Cochran, as well as sweeper Phillip Pena.

Among the top newcomers are forward Juan Guitron, midfielders Scott Marlow and Scott Johnson, and defender Ryon Knipple.

The team is skilled and should have an outstanding defense, Fabien said.

Guizar likes what he’s seen of the team throughout preseason workouts.

“We pass a lot more than last year,” he said. “We play together as a team.”

Another big plus, he said, is the long roster filled with talent.

“We have a deep bench,” Guizar said. “That gives us so many options.”

Fabien is thrilled with the attitude and work ethic he’s seen out of the team, and has encouraged the players to set their sights high.

“I told them we have the opportunity to do something special — to build on what we did last year and take it farther,” he said.

After the strong finish last year, the returning players are excited about that prospect, Guizar said.

“It sets the bar,” he said of last year’s Final Four run. “I think we can go far.”

Southwestern finished the regular season 11-3-2 last year and then won two playoff games — one on the road — to reach the Final Four.

The Lakers will have their first home match Tuesday as part of a doubleheader with the women’s team. The women host Yakima at noon, while the men face Peninsula at 4 p.m. Both teams host Olympic on Wednesday, with the matches at 2 and 4 p.m., while the women also host Bellevue on Thursday.