It isn’t just the deep runs in the Southern Conference Tournament the Georgia Southern men’s soccer team have had over the past few seasons.

It’s the USA beating Spain in the Confederations Cup, the possibility of American success in next year’s World Cup, and it’s Statesboro High’s Region 2-AAAA championship and run to the quarterfinals of the 2009 GHSA Class AAAA state playoffs.

Soccer is finally getting some time in the spotlight around here, and it’s helping GSU coach Kevin Kennedy do what he came to Statesboro to do back in 2006.

It’s helping him change the culture at Georgia Southern.

The Eagles made it all the way to the SoCon championship that first season inder Kennedy in 2006, and recently fell to SoCon powerhouse UNC Greensboro in the 2008 semifinals after taking a 0-0 tie though two extra periods and lost it on penalty kicks.

The fans have started to notice. They’ve also started to realize that there’s more to the game than points.

“As fans are getting more familiar with the game,” Kennedy said, “I think they’re able to understand the subtlety and the beauty of a great near goal, the buildup of the attack and things like that.”

The Eagles have accomplished some milestones along the way. It isn’t every day a SoCon soccer team gets to play in front of 6,000 fans, but GSU did it last season when they went to Clemson and left with a 2-1 win.

Perhaps the biggest win came on Eagle Field, when the Eagles defeated UNCG for the first time in program history with a 2-1 victory on Nov. 4. The Eagles had been winless against the Spartans since the program began in 1980

“We joked with (GSU athletic director) Sam Baker that we we’re closing the gap in the UNCG series - slowly,” laughed Kennedy.

This may be a rebuilding year at GSU – the Eagles graduated nine players – but there’s still talent to be found on the 2009-10 squad.

“We have what we like to call the spine of our team still intact,” Kennedy said.

Senior keeper Joey Ralph is back to defend the goal and 2006 SoCon freshman of the year Joe Madigan, who scored the game-winners against UNCG and Davidson last season, and 200-pound striker Jon Cox return on offense.

2008 All-SoCon Tournament defender Danny Hall returns to lead the defense. He added three goals from his spot in the middle of the defense last year.

The Eagles kick off the 2009 season in Atlanta against Georgia State Saturday at 3 p.m.

Lady Eagles set for kickoff

In Southern Conference women’s soccer, there’s UNC Greensboro, and there’s everybody else.

“UNCG is definitely the benchmark that we look for in our conference,” said Lady Eagles coach Ashley Hart. “I think with our team being so young, we need to be confident when we step out there with them. Greensboro’s a great team, but I think one of the great steps we made in the spring was realizing that we’re a great team too.”

The youth on the Eagles is led by sophomore forward Danae Kaimuloa, an all SoCon selection from a year ago. Her contribution to the team came as a pleasant surprise. “You’re always excited about your freshmen, but you’re never sure how they’re going to make the transition from the high-school level to the college level,” said Hart. “I can’t remember exactly who we were playing at the beginning of last season, but I think she beat like three players off the dribble and finished the goal. I looked at Jamey (Newsome), my assistant, and I was like, ‘Okay. We’re going to be okay. That’s good.’ I think if Danae can continue to be dangerous like that, she’ll cause a lot of problems for other teams.”

A trio of fifth-year seniors – Lauren Santos (keeper), Michelle Carlson (defender) and Kate Boardman (midfielder) - brings back the experience.

Greensboro received seven first-place votes in the preseason SoCon coaches poll, while Georgia Southern was picked to finish 10th ahead of Chattanooga and The Citadel.

The season begins as the Lady Eagles take on Charleston Southern Saturday at 4 p.m.

Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.