When the season begins, the Nipissing Lakers men's soccer team will have something to prove.

After qualifying for the playoffs four straights years, the team has come up short the past two seasons and will be looking to get back on track beginning Sunday afternoon, when they begin the 2018-19 OUA season.

With new head coach Tony D'Agostino at the helm, the team has some fresh faces in the lineup, but is also bringing back some key contributors – including a few familiar faces from a couple years ago.

The team looks to be in solid form after a quality training camp and they are ready for their first opponent, the Carleton Ravens.

The task likely won't be easy, as the Ravens led the OUA with 41 points last season, posting a 13-1-2 record, defeating the Lakers twice.

The first matchup was one of the best showings for Nipissing, falling by just one as the Ravens scored two late goals to escape with the victory.

Nipissing had a strong start to last season, but seem to run out of gas.

With just two of their first six games at home, a hot start would help the team establish themselves and gain some confidence as they push towards getting back into the post-season.

The team ends the season with four of their final six games at home, an important stretch that could certainly determine where they finish.

Last year, finding the back of the net proved to be a challenge for the team and if they want to be successful this year, they'll need to capitalize on their opportunities.

They have speed and skill up front, as well as a steady back line that should be able to move the ball forward and create transition chances.

For players that have been with the team the past few years, they'll have a little extra motivation to perform this season and joining forces with youngsters trying to prove themselves should create a competitive lineup.

New year, new opportunities and it all begins Sunday against the Ravens.

Kick-off is set for 2:15pm at the Education Centre Field at Nipissing University.