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The Saskatchewan Huskies men’s soccer team enters 2015 season with target on their back as defending Canada West champions. Jack Haskins looks at how the squad is getting prepared to defend their title.

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Huskies men’s soccer team heads into the 2015 season with a big target on its back. For the first time ever, the team is heading into a season as defending Canada West champions.

However, three of the team’s most influential players from last season aren’t back to help defend the title. Star striker Brett Levis, goal keeper Michal Bandula and the team’s captain, Jordian Farahani, have all moved on.

“If you look at those players, they brought a lot of experience, and experience is just not given,” said head coach Bryce Chapman.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan Huskie Jordian Farahani pursuing pro soccer career

The team has some good quality young players coming up to support the veterans on the squad. One of the first moves made by Chapman was to name fifth-year striker Garrett Peters as the team’s new captain.

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“It’s a special role to have,” said Peters. “I’m pretty happy to be able to represent the Huskies in this way.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan Huskies fall to Manitoba Bisons 34-28

As for that target on their back, Chapman isn’t giving it any thought.

“We haven’t spoken about being CanWest champions, we’ve spoken about putting ourselves in spots over the season to make sure we have another chance to do it again,” said Chapman.

The Huskies kick off their season Friday afternoon against the Alberta Golden Bears in a rematch of the 2014 Canada West championship game.

Jack Haskins contributed to this story