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1. UCLA - Make no mistake about it, this team is loaded with talent and top-notch competitive experience. Begin with the fact that nine starters are back from the 2006 team that advanced to the national championship match. Sophomore forward David Estrada (12g, 4a), junior midfielders Sal Zizzo (7g, 9a) and Tony Beltran (0g, 1a), sophomore midfielder Kyle Nakazawa (4g, 8a), and senior defender Mike Zaher are among the prime timers who return. Consider the fact that defender Brandon Owens and forward Maxwell Griffin (5g, 1a) return after sustaining injuries in 2006. Look at the high level of competitive play that many of the Bruins have engaged in since the end of the 2006 season. Throw in the fact that players often improve the most between their freshman and sophomore seasons which bodes well for the young Bruins. Add in the fact that UCLA will feature one of the countries premier goalkeepers in sophomore Brian Perk and it is clear that Jorge Salcedo’s UCLA Bruins have what it takes to win it all in 2007. |
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2. Duke - The Blue Devils have as much experienced top-notch talent returning as any team in the country. Ten starters are back from the 2006 team that won the ACC title and advanced to the Elite Eight in NCAA Tourney play. The 2007 seniors, who played a key role as freshmen in Duke’s 2004 run to the Final Four, have stayed together and will have their sights set on nothing less than a national championship. This team has the skill to beat you in a number of different ways. Seniors include All-American midfielder Michael Videira (8g, 7a), forward Spencer Wadsworth (8g, 14a), midfielders Joe Germanese (4g, 6a), Tomek Charowski (2g, 4a), and Zach Pope (1g, 9a), defender Tim Jepson, and goalkeeper Justin Papadakis. Junior midfielder Pavelid Castaneda (1g, 1a) adds defensive toughness and junior forward Mike Grella (13g, 6a) is as good as they get up-top. Juniors Graham Dugoni and Darrius Barnes round out what should be a very solid Blue Devil backline. John Rennie reinforced the old adage that the rich get richer when he added a five member recruiting class that includes three NSCAA Youth All-America selections. |
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3. UC Santa Barbara - Let’s see. Two final four appearances in the past three years including the program’s first national championship last year. It didn’t take Gaucho head coach Tim Vom Stegg very long to firmly establish UC Santa Barbara as one of the premier programs in the country. With everyone but five players back from the 2006 team, there is every reason to believe that the defending national champions will again be in the thick of things in 2007. Problem is the five players who have left the building were all stellar performers and not necessarily the type easily replaced. Having said that, the Gauchos will have talent at every position and Vom Stegg has added a recruiting class that should contribute immediately. There is an air of genuine confidence surrounding the Gauchos that comes only from success. All-American Andy Iro and Greg Curry return in the back. Junior Nick Perera (7g, 4a) should be the “go-to” guy up-top. Junior All-American Eric Avila (8g, 5a) is a prime timer in the midfield. The Gauchos will have a bigger than usual target on their chests in 2007 so the difference between a good and a great season for UCSB in 2007 may hinge on how quickly they gel as a team under mounting expectations and a fairly difficult early season schedule. |
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4. Wake Forest - A solid core returns from the 2006 team that earned the programs first ever trip to the Final Four and had a school record eighteen victories. The Demon Deacons are an ultra-athletic bunch on the offensive side of the ball with great touch and movement off the ball but their greatest strength in 2007 may be their backline led by seniors Julian Valentin and Pat Phelan and goalkeeper Brian Edwards. Junior forward Marcus Tracy (6g, 4a) is among the most dangerous finishers in the ACC. Sophomores Zack Schilawski (6g, 4a) and Cody Arnoux (1g, 2a) will also add to the attack up-top. Juniors Michael Lahoud (3g, 6a) and Sam Cronin (4g, 4a) will anchor a midfield that will require some rebuilding due to the graduation of Steven Curfman (6g, 8a), Wells Thompson (7g, 3a) and Ryan Solle (5g, 4a). Junior Jamie Franks (0g, 4a), sophomore Austin Da Luz (1g, 3a) and freshman midfielder Corben Bone who was the NSCAA Player of the Year are among those who Deacon coach Jay Vidovich will likely count on to pick up the slack in the midfield. Wake Forest could be a great team this year, but might have a tough time reflecting it with their record since the Atlantic Coast Conference will again be extremely competitive. |
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5. Santa Clara - To appreciate the Broncos in 2007, you need look no further than their backline led by seniors Jamil Roberts, Matt Hatzke, Matt Marquess, and sophomore Chris Sauter. In addition, Joseph Buttitta returns in goal after a solid season between the pipes last year. Eight starters return from the 2006 team that was 13-5-5 overall and that advanced to the Elite Eight before being eliminated by Wake Forest. Defense will be the Broncos calling card but they also have offensive punch as demonstrated by the fact that their attack produced a total of 36 goals last year. However, Cameron Rast must find a way to fill the gap that results from the departure of Keith Devay (6g, 2a), Erik Ustruck (1g, 3a) and Amaechi Igwe (5g, 3a) who accounted for 15 of the 36 goals. Senior forward Peter Lowry (6g, 2a), who is among the top returning players in the country, will spearhead the Bronco attack. Juniors Brian Martin (3g, 5a) and Jide Ogunbiyi (2g, 5a) and sophomore Sean Danzeiser (4g, 1a) are among others who should add offensive balance. Sophomore Stephen McCarthy (0g, 1a), who had an outstanding freshman campaign, will anchor the midfield. Freshman Jalil Anibaba should contribute immediately. |
