By: Jill Wunrow (@JillWunrow)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - If the first practice of the Green Bay men's soccer 2012 season is any indication of how the season will go, fans are in for an exciting year. First year head coach Dan Popik wants his players to have the mentality of being the hardest working team. With that, Popik kicked off the 2012 season with the team's first practice at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 8, the first day teams can start practicing.

"There are going to be some times this year where we're going to have to do things that might challenge us like have a 9:00 a.m. game at Oregon State as well as some other road games that we're going to have to adjust and overcome adversity," Popik said. "We have to get the mindset early that no matter what time it is, when, how or what, we are going to be ready to compete."

Green Bay opens its 2012 season with three home games, kicking off hosting Northern Kentucky Aug. 24. The Phoenix hosts UW-Parkside Aug. 16 and St. Joseph's Aug. 18 in exhibition play. All three contests mentioned begin at 7:00 p.m. at Aldo Santaga Stadium.

To watch a video of the first practice of the Green Bay men's soccer 2012 season, click below.