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12. St. John’s - Last year’s very young and somewhat erratic team is now a veteran group with eight starters back from the 2006 team that was 14-6-2 overall with a 5-4-2 mark in Big East play. The 2006 season may turn out to have been a stepping stone for the 2007 group to accomplish big things. The return of sophomore forward Ryan Soroka (9g, 8a), who netted six game winners last year, should ensure that the Red Storm attack has plenty of sizzle. Soroka is a franchise player around whom an attack can be built. Sophomore forward Tadeu Terra (3g, 5a) is another of the Big East’s most promising athletes. The midfield looks to be a team strength with the return of senior Jeff Stepan (4g, 2a), junior ironman Rory Quinn (0g, 2a) and sophomore Adam Himeno (3g, 0a). Losses due to graduation on the defensive side of the ball may result in some vulnerability early own but look for that to work itself out. You can always count on a solid team defensive effort from the Red Storm. Senior goalkeeper Jason Landers is among the best in the country at his trade which is a big plus for St. John’s. |
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13. California - Six starters return for the defending Pac-10 Champions who were 13-6-1 overall in 2006 with a 7-3-0 mark in conference play. The Golden Bears welcome back one of the best finishers in the country in senior forward Javier Ayala-Hill (12, 2a). Ayala-Hil does not have to shoulder the California offense by himself but will need to have a productive season in order for the Golden Bears to maintain a high national ranking. Junior Jacob Wilson (4g, 2a) is among the returning players who head coach Kevin Grimes will likely look to for offensive diversity. Senior Andrew Jacobson (3g, 2a) and sophomore Hector Jimenez (0g, 6a) bring mobility, toughness, and speed to the Cal midfield. Senior Luke Sassano (1g, 5a) will add to the attack from the back. Grimes enters his eighth season at California with an 81-51-13 record that includes six consecutive NCAA Tourney invites. Replacing All-American defender Steve Purdy will be difficult. However, enough capable playmakers and role players will be on the pitch for California to ensure that they will again be a very competitive side. |
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14. West Virginia - What a difference a year makes. Marlon LeBlanc got the attention of the college soccer world in 2006 when he guided West Virginia to a 15-3-3 mark in his inaugural season as the Mountaineer head coach. The Mountaineers proved that they could hang with the big boys last year with an impressive 9-0-1 mark in Big East Play. LeBlanc stated, “Expectations are raised. Our goals a year ago were to make the Big East Tournament. After last year’s success, our goals now are to win a national championship.” Some uncertainty exists due to the loss of All-American forward Jarrod Smith (15g, 4a) and All-American goalkeeper Nick Noble. Nonetheless with eight starters back supplemented by a very promising recruiting class, the Mountaineers look to be a deep and talented team in 2007. Midfielder and team captain Dan Stafford will be at the center of the attack. Gift Maworere, and Mike Anoia also return in the midfield. Senior Andy Wright (5g, 6a) will power the attack up-top. Center backs Andrew Halsell and Paul Cunningham return to anchor the backline along with outside backs Pat Carroll and Ryan Gillespie. The play between the pipes will have a big impact on West Virginia’s ability to build on the success they enjoyed last year. Redshirt freshman Zach Johnson appears to have the edge for the starting spot in goal. |
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15. Harvard - Keep your eyes on the Crimson. John Kerr’s offense proved tough to stop last year and made Harvard a dangerous opponent to face. Despite the graduation of two-time Ivy League Player of the Year Charles Altchek (12g, 4a), offense shouldn’t be a problem again in 2007. Harvard returns nine starters from the 2006 squad that was 14-5-0 overall with a 6-1-0 mark in Ivy League play including an impressive array of playmakers who appear to have the potential to make a mark on the national scene. Harvard’s first priority may be defending their Ivy League title but the biggest challenge facing this team is showing that they are for real via a decent run in the NCAA Tourney. Last year the Crimson got past Binghamton 2-1 in the first round of play but then were thumped 3-0 by UCLA in second round action. Sophomore Andre Akpan (11g, 12a), who is among the most talented forwards in the country, returns along with junior midfielder Michael Fucito (9g, 9a) who is also a very dangerous finisher. Add in senior forward Matt Hoff (5g, 3a), junior midfielder John Stamatis (3g, 7a), and sophomore linkman Kwaku Nyamekye (3g, 5a) and you have the makings of a very balanced and multi-dimensional attack. Juniors Michael Giammanco and Marcel Perl return in the back along with senior goalkeeper Adam Hahn. |
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11. Notre Dame - Despite the loss of five senior starters from the 2006 team that was 15-6-2 overall the Irish simply have too much talent to be overlooked in the preseason. Bobby Clark has worked wonders at Notre Dame and the program has a ton of momentum going for it. From top to bottom the 2007 team might actually be Clark’s best team yet. Clark guided the Irish to the Round of Sixteen in 2003 and 2005 and in 2006 they played their way to the Elite Eight for the first time in the history of the program. Will 2007 be the year that Notre Dame advances to the Final Four? Forget the fact, if you can, that the Irish attack will be led by All-American Joe Lapira (22g, 6a) and balanced out with the likes of Cory Rellas, Kurt Martin and Bright Dike. The thing that will give this team the edge is its backline which will feature central defender junior Matt Besler, junior Jack Traynor, and seniors Ryan Miller and Andrew Benton. Senior Chris Cahill, who has been a starter for the past two years, returns in goal. |
