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24. Saint Louis - When you lose six very talented and experienced senior starters, a drop-off is to be expected. Dan Donigan will be counting on returning defenders Tim Ream and Rob Viviano, forwards Jimmy Holmes and Scott Wisniewski and midfielders Kyle Hayes and James Jaramillo plus a slew of talented newcomers to keep the program among the elite. |
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25. Michigan State - Last year the Spartans secured the Big Ten regular season and tourney titles and the number four seed in the NCAA Tourney, but they then wilted with an early exit from the NCAA Tourney. The Damon Rensign era begins with the big challenge of rebuilding the attack including finding a replacement for forward Doug DeMartin (17g, 3a). |
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26. Cal Poly - The Mustangs performed well in 2008 securing a 11-6-6 overall record and earning an invite to the NCAA Tourney for the first time since the 1995 campaign. Eight starters return including forward David Zamora (9g, 0a), midfielder Kyle Montgomery (1g, 10a), and center back Paul Sigler. If the younger players develop, Cal Poly will be tough. |
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27. SMU - The Mustang’s string of fourteen consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances came to an end last year with a disappointing 10-6-2 overall record, but consider than an anomaly. Tim McClements should reap the rewards in 2009 for starting a bevy of young players last year. Ten starters return including RS senior forward Paulo da Silva (7g, 2a). |
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28. Louisville - The Cardinals were a trendy team last year. They soared in September but lost seven of their last nine contests to finish with an 11-8-2 record. Will the real Louisville Cardinals please stand up in 2009? With eight starters back including forward Colin Rolfe and a good recruiting class on the way, the prognosis for success looks pretty good in 2009. |
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29. George Mason - The Patriots upped their stock with another talented recruiting class. The loss of Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe takes a big bite out of the attack and the backline requires rebuilding but the program at George Mason has turned the corner under the direction of Greg Andrulis. Senior Richard Edgar anchors what should be a very productive midfield. |
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30. San Francisco - The Dons were the 2008 West Coast Conference champions but normally a team with a 9-10-2 overall record would not be a candidate for a top thirty ranking, but with nine returning starters including senior forward Conor Chinn (17g, 1a) this team should be very good in 2009. Look for the WCC in general to be stronger in 2009 than 2008. |
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23. Boston University - The reigning America East champions return ten starters from the 2008 NCAA Tourney team that was 12-6-3 overall. The Terriers have visions of another successful season in their head with forwards Shaun Taylor and Aaron O’Neal , midfielders Michael Bustamante and Richy Dorman, and goalkeeper Hrafn Davidsson returning. |
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