HOBBS, N.M. – Built to win now.
 
That's the underlying theme for the 2017 University of the Southwest men's soccer team, and for good reason.
 
The Mustangs are experienced, have depth and are hungry for a conference championship.
 
The core of its team from last season, which went 9-5-1 and narrowly missed the Red River Athletic Conference tournament, return to the pitch. Several student-athletes on the 2017 roster were also central figures on the 2015 squad, which advanced to the RRAC tournament championship game.
 
"We had a great preseason and the guys come into camp confident and ready to work," USW head coach Robert Ssejjemba said. "The attitude was just fantastic and it was a great three weeks of work."
 
With a veteran group returning, there weren't many surprises and there was a heightened level of comfortability.
 
"Our core group of guys, they know what to expect," Ssejjemba said. "When you have a mature team that's been through several camps, there won't be a lot of surprises. The returners were able to help the newcomers adapt to the college game and a higher level of play."
 
One of the reasons why it was a great camp was the leadership of several returning letter-winners, which include Jack Laurie, Michael Boone, Allan Navarro, Ian Kesterson and Joshua Lourens.
 
Last season Boone scored a team-high eight goals, while Laurie netted four goals and handed out five assists.
 
"Jack had a great camp for us," commented Ssejjemba. "This past summer he went back to his native England. Jack practiced and worked out with high-level athletes and it showed. He came back fit and in shape and ready to play."
 
If the Mustangs were to advance deep into the postseason, one reason why is the quality depth that's on the roster.
 
"For the first time I feel like we have the depth to compete at a higher level than in the past," added Ssejjemba. "With our returners and the addition of our newcomers, we will always be fresh, which will help this team.  We will have guys coming off the bench that will make an impact, which is something that we didn't have last season."
 
Ssejjemba isn't afraid to express his expectations for the 2017 campaign.
 
"We want to advance to the conference championship game…and win it," smiled Ssejjemba said. "This team has the potential to be special. We do play in one of the toughest NAIA Division I conferences in the country, but I feel that we have the tools to be successful and play with the best."
 
The Mustangs begin their season Thursday, Aug. 31 at Bacone College and on September 6 travel to NCAA Division II Lubbock Christian University.