9.  UC Santa Barbara – Tim Vom Steeg may be the fastest gun in the West.  It does not take him long to reload.  UCSB lost defender Michael Boxall and goalkeeper Sam Hayden to graduation as well as midfielder Danny Barrera and defender Michael Tetteh who left early to the professional ranks.  Vom Steeg subsequently added an experienced recruiting class that went a long way toward filling the void.  The Gaucho midfield will feature senior Luis Silva (6g, 4a) and junior Machael David who were All-Big West First Team members.  Transfers Dominick Sarle from St. John’s and Cesar Castillo from   Cerritos College add to an already solid group of linkmen.  The UCSB attack will be led up-top by junior Sam Garza (9g, 6a) and sophomore David Opoku (6g, 5a).  Seniors Peter McGlynn and Tim Pontius are among returning defenders.  The Gauchos will be athletic and soccer savvy heading into the season but it may take a little time for Vom Steeg to blend everything together.  UCSB has early season matches with Duke and N.C. State and a big date with UCLA on September 16.

10.  Brown – In his first season at the helm of the program in 2010 Patrick Laughlin guided the Bears to a 12-4-4 overall record.  Brown advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the fist time since 2000.  A solid nucleus returns led by senior forward Sean Rosa (6g, 5a), junior midfielder Thomas McNamara (3g, 4a) and junior defender Dylan Remick.  The Bears held opponents to a total of only twelve goals last year.  Expect more of the same in 2011 with a defense that should be among the best in the country.  However, replacing goalkeeper Paul Grandstrand who completed a stellar career at Brown with a total of twenty-four shutouts will not be easy.   The lads from Brown gained valuable experience last year that should up their win total in 2011.

11. Notre Dame – There are some key pieces that need to be replaced.  Gone are forward Stephen Perry (12g, 4a) and midfielder Jeb Browski (4g, 1a) who were 2010 All-Big East First Team selections.  However plenty of talent returns including seven starters and an impressive group of newcomers who should immediately contribute.  Notre Dame has become one of the most consistent programs in the Big East as reflected in the fact that the Irish have been in the NCAA Tourney field during each of the ten years that Bobby Clark has been at the helm of the program.  Junior forward Ryan Finley who transfers in from Duke where he was the 2010 ACC Offensive Player of the Year has the potential to give the Irish a huge boost on the offensive side of the ball but he will need to fit into Notre Dame’s system of play.  Junior Dillon Powers (4g, 4a) who was an All-Big East Second team selection and seniors Brendan King (3g, 6a), Chris Sutton and Michael Rose and sophomore Harrison Shipp (0g,6a) return to give the Irish a very productive and creative midfield.  Senior Aaron Maud, an All-Big East Second team selection, will anchor the backline along with fifth-year senior Greg Klazura and junior Grant Van De Casteele.

12.   Virginia – Eight starters return supplemented by an outstanding ten member recruiting class that should contribute immediately.  The Cavaliers return players who produced thirty-one of the thirty-six goals they scored in 2010.  Virginia is a team that will put the ball in the back of the net a lot in 2011 with senior Brian Ownby (7g, 3a) and junior Will Bates (8g, 4a) up-top.  Both are dynamic finishers.  Seniors Greg Monaco (1g, 0a) and Mike Volk who were starters on Virginia’s 2009 National Championship team return to anchor what should be a very good backline.  Sophomore Brain Span (5g, 3a) and junior Ari Dimas (2g, 4a) are among returning midfielders.  The Cavaliers must replace Diego Restrepo who recorded a total of twenty-four shutouts during his two-year tenure between the pipes in Charlottesville.  The nagging question is whether this team has the fortitude needed to prevail against the very best opponents.  The talent is clearly there but you can be good, really good, and still not have what it takes to prevail at the highest level. Time will tell.