21.  Michigan – The Wolverines had a truly memorable 2010 season in which they won their first Big Ten Tournament championship and advanced to the Final Four for the first time in the history of the program.  The Maize and Blue will enter the 2011 season facing life after forward Soony Saad (19g, 5a) who left early to enter the professional ranks and forward Justin Meram (17g, 8a) who graduated.  Having a successful season in 2011 means some new faces must take big steps forward.  Junior midfielder Hamoody Saad (6g, 7a), a Second Team All-Big Ten selection last year, is among key returning players who will be called upon to assume a larger share of the offensive load in 2011.  Senior Adam Shaw (0g, 2a), junior Latif Alashe (2g, 4a) and sophomore Fabio Pereira who was a 2010 All-Freshman Team selection are among other retuning linkmen.  Juniors Brian Klemczak (0g, 3a) and Kofi Opare are among returning starters in the back.  The euphoria surrounding the success the team enjoyed last year may help fuel momentum in 2011 or it could fade quickly if the Wolverines are unable to plug the very real hole that exists on the offensive side of the ball.  It will be interesting to see if Michigan can capitalize on the momentum built by last season’s improbable run.

22.  West Virginia – Things are looking up for the Mountaineers.  West Virginia was a lot of fun to watch last year and the good times should continue in 2011.  Ten starters return from the 2010 team that was 11-8-2 overall and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tourney where they fell to eventual national champion Akron 3-2.  This is a very balanced team that should be solid on both sides of the ball.  Returning players include forwards Franck Tayou (9g, 1a) and Peabo Doue (5g, 4a), midfielders Shadow Sebele (5g, 11a) and Vwem Etuck and senior defenders Eric Schoenle, Raymon Gaddis and Uzi Taylor.  West Virginia will miss the services of Zach Johnson in goal who had thirty-six career shutouts so look for that to be a crucial success factor in 2011.  The Mountaineers may not win the Big East Conference but anything less than another NCAA Tournament bid and a win or two in NCAA Tourney play will be considered a disappointment. If this team plays to their potential the sky is the limit.

23.  Charlotte – The 49ers have ten starters returning from a team that was 13-5-1 last year with an 8-1-0 mark in Atlantic Ten play.  Charlotte’s season came to an unexpected end last year when Xavier advanced past them in the A-10 Tourney in a match that was decided by penalty kicks.  The Forty-niners lone senior in 2010 was forward Andres Cuero (9g, 1a) who was an A-10 First Team selection.  Cuero will be tough to replace but a ton of talent returns which bodes well for Charlotte in 2011.  Senior Charles Rodriguez who was the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year returns to lead what should be a tenacious Charlotte backline.  Rodriquez will be joined by senior Issac Cowles, junior Kyle Griffin, and sophomore Anthony Perez.   The Charlotte midfield will feature sophomore Tyler Gibson (4g, 4a) who was the 2010 A-10 Midfielder of the Year as well as sophomores Will Mayhew (3g. 4a) and Aidan Kirkbride (1g, 1a).  Senior Evan James (4g, 4a) and junior Donnie Smith (6g, 2a), a First Team All-A10 selection, are among returning forwards who should play a key role in the 49ers offense in 2011.  Sophomore Klay Davis and senior Gavin Dawson return in goal.

 

24.  Florida Gulf Coast University – Ten starters are back from the 2010 team that was 13-3-2 overall with a perfect 9-0-0 mark in Atlantic Sun Conference play.  The Eagles had non-conference wins over South Florida and Ohio State and will play a schedule in 2011that includes non-conference matches with Portland, Washington, UC Irvine, Saint Louis, Central Florida, and South Florida.  Senior Adam Glick who was the Atlantic-Sun Defensive Player of the Year returns in goal.  Seniors Josey Portillo (4g, 4a) and Christian Raudales (4g, 1a) are part of a midfield that is quick and has great touch on the ball.  Junior defender Deion Jones (7g, 3a) is a prime timer who adds value on both sides

of the ball.  Sophomore Ryan Price (6g, 0a) returns up-top.  Freshman forward Xavier Silva is among the newcomers who will add another dimension to the attack.  The Blue and Green completed their four-year NCAA provisional period last year and will be eligible for postseason play in 2011.  Coach Bob Butehorn is building something special at FGCU which is located in Fort Myers, Florida.  The Eagles may not currently have nationwide name recognition but that is likely to change soon.