13.  South Florida - The 2008 Big East Tournament Champions will have a difficult time replacing defender Yohance Marshall, midfielder Kevon Neaves, and forward Jordan Seabrook, but there is still plenty of talent left over starting with senior forward Zak Boggs (5g, 5a), senior midfielder Jorge Mora (1g, 3a) and junior goalkeeper Jeff Attinella.  

14.  UC Irvine - The Anteaters had a breakthrough season in 2008, posting a 15-2-6 record, winning the Big West Tourney, and earning an invite to the NCAA Tournament.  George Kuntz has some  big gaps to fill due to the loss of six senior starters but Irving Garcia (7g, 9a), Amani Walker (4g, 5a), and Spencer Thompson (8g, 6a) return to provide firepower.

15.   Loyola (MD) - The Greyhounds have won 37 games over the past two seasons which is impressive no matter how you spin it.   Some say they don’t play a competitive slate.  An early exit from the 2008 NCAA Tourney added fuel to the fire of the doubters. Jamie Darvill (14g, 11a) and Phil Bannister (13g, 8a) return up-top. Tennant McVea also returns.

16.   Notre Dame - The Irish return eight starters from the 2008 team that was 12-7-2 overall with a 7-2-2 mark in Big East play.  Despite the loss of defenders Matt Besler and Jack Traynor the Irish may be a stronger side in 2009 than 2008.  Bright Dike (12g, 5a) and Jeb Brovsky (5g, 6a) return up-top.  Michael Thomas (8g, 5a) adds punch to a very deep Irish midfield. Irish backline.  Bright Dike returns up-top to spearhead the attack.  what shoud

17.   UCLA - The Bruins are a tough team to get a handle on.  With all the talent on board it is impossible to overlook them but ten wins in 2008 and nine wins in 2007 isn’t what one expects out of Westwood even though the program made its 26th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tourney last year.  Eight starters return including midfielder Michael Stephens.

18.  Dayton -  With eight returning starters the foundation is in place for the Flyers to build on the success that they enjoyed last year when they were 15-4-3 overall.  Forward Alex Torda (10g, 3a) will power the attack up-top.  Senior Ben Murray is rock solid in the midfield.  Center back Ryan Handbury will anchor a very experienced and capable backline

19.  UC Santa Barbara - After a season of growing pains, the Gauchos should be vastly improved in 2009, thanks to the addition of several recruits from the junior college ranks who should contribute immediately.  Key newcomers include defender Evan McNiel and forward Waid Ibrahim. Eight starters return including senior forward David Walker (3g, 1a).

20.  Connecticut - Some might expect a higher ranking but the fact the Huskies underachieved last year raises questions heading into the 2009 campaign.   The biggest question mark has to do with offensive productivity.  Solve that and this team will rocket upward. Toni Stahl,  Mike Pezza and Tony Cascio power the midfield. Josh Ford is very solid in goal. 

12.  Tulsa - The Golden Hurricane, who did not receive one of the 16 seeds in the NCAA Tourney last year despite completing regular season play on a 15 game unbeaten streak that included winning the CUSA Tourney,  will again have a high powered attack in 2009.  Midfielder Ashley McInnes (5g, 8a) and forward Austin Neil (11g, 4a) can play the game.

21.  Drake - Things are looking up in Des Moines as head coach Sean Holmes welcomes back ten starters from the 2008 team that will be looking for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.  The Bulldogs earned their first ever trip to the NCAA Tourney and secured a school record thirteen wins last year.  Seniors Garrett Webb and Kevin Shrout return up-top.

22.  Virginia - The Cavaliers have reached the NCAA Tourney for twenty-nine consecutive seasons which is the longest streak in the country, but this year making it to the Big Dance won’t be good enough.  Ten starters return from the 2008 team that featured a lot of young talent including midfielder Tony Tchani (9g, 3a) and forward Brian Ownby (5g, 4a).