DENVER – The six-game home preamble to the MSU Denver men's soccer season, with non-conference games all played at the Assembly Athletic Complex, comes to its conclusion this weekend.
 
The Roadrunners play host to Newman (Kan.) at 4:30 p.m. Friday and to conference rival Adams State in a non-conference game Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
"It's been incredible," MSU Denver coach Nick Kirchhof said. "Being at home in our new facility (the venue has new lights and a new playing surface) has really been fantastic. We've been able to play some great soccer, too."
 
At 2-1-1, the Roadrunners will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 loss Sunday against Fort Hays State (Kan.).
 
Newman, picked to finish sixth in the seven-team GAC/MIAA, comes to town at 0-4 and has been outscored 17-3 thus far. Adams State, picked last in the 11-team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, is 0-3 heading into a Friday game at Colorado Christian and has been outscored 17-2.
 
Despite the apparent struggles of its opponents, MSU Denver is taking nothing for granted.
 
"This whole time we've been looking internally," Kirchhof said. "We're still very new in the season and we're looking to see what we will look like when conference play starts. This is a great way to evaluate where we are right now, and hopefully we can keep improving."
 
Last season it took a Hernan Ibarra goal in the 81^st minute for the Roadrunners to earn a 1-0 win at Newman – the Jets finished last year at 1-10-1.
 
"Last year they were a tough opponent to play against, especially at their place," Kirchhof said. "We're expecting another tough match."
 
The Roadrunners won at Adams State 2-1 last season, with Aidan Bates getting the game-winning goal in the 71^st minute.
 
Bates led the Roadrunners with 10 goals last season and shares the team lead of two this season with Aaron Biggerstaff, but the team has showcased an ability to get offensive contributions from a number of areas.
 
The list includes defender Jonas Votaw, who has a goal and an assist and is noticeably more assertive while getting increased playing time this season.
 
"He's doing great," Kirchhof said. "Toward the end of the season last year he broke into the lineup, and he had a very good spring season. He's stepped up in a positive way due to the work he's put in."
 
Many others have moved into the limelight, including redshirt freshman midfielder Kazuki Peralta, who has provided a spark of energy off the bench.
 
"We've been able to keep people healthy and it's been great to rotate some minutes around," Kirchhof said. "We have some areas to improve on, but I'm really enjoying that we're a confident team that's willing to play whatever style is necessary – whatever the game dictates. It's been a very positive start."