Stanford - Four And A Half Star Class Ranking  -  Bret Simon has added a well rounded six member 2009 recruiting class that he hopes will be able to add more than a little life to the Cardinal attack.  The newcomers most likely to help fill that particular void are highly touted forwards Dersu Abolfathi and Adam Jahn.  The Cardinal will seek to improve on last season’s disappointing 4-11-3 overall record and 2-6-2 mark in Pac-10 play.  Disappointing in the sense that Stanford entered the 2008 campaign with a veteran team that they felt had a legitimate shot at contending for the Pac-10 Conference title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.  Unfortunately for Stanford, things didn’t pan out as expected primarily due to the fact that the Cardinal offense never really got off the ground.  Stanford held their own on the defensive side of the ball holding opponents to a total of only twenty-one goals.  Simon stated, “The defense never had a bad game all year.” However the Cardinal attack was only able to muster a total of fourteen goals which is simply not going to get it done in the Pac-10.  Stanford will enter the 2009 season without eight seniors from the 2008 team.  The biggest gap to fill will be the shoes of departed defenders Ryan Imamura and Tim Jones and midfielder Tom Montgomery (3g, 0a).  The Cardinal will enter the 2009 campaign with two 2008 All-Pac-10 First Team selections leading the way.  Bobby Warshaw (3g, 2a), who has been Stanford’s leading scorer for the past two seasons while playing just about everywhere on the field, and center midfielder Michael Strickland (1g, 1a) are both extremely capable and hard working players.   Simon tried a lot of different player combinations up-top last year trying to jump start the Cardinal attack.  Heading into the 2009 season, it is unclear who will be the “go-to” guy for the Stanford offense.  Warsaw may play up-top, in the midfield,  or in the back.  The problem is that it is unlikely that he will be able to carry much more of the load on the offensive side of the ball than he did last season.  Other returning candidates up-top include RS Sophomore Taylor Amman (1g, 0a), sophomore Cullen Wilson (1g, 0a) and Evan Morgan who was granted another season due to a medical redshirt.  Morgan lead the Stanford attack as a junior in 2006 when he netted five goals.  Strickland will be joined in the midfield by RS Sophomore Garrett Gunther (1g, 0a), juniors Dominique Yahyavi (1g, 0a) and Daniel Leon (0g, 1a), seniors Brant Bishop and Thiago Sa Freire,  and sophomore Clayton Holz (1g, 0a).  T.J. Novak who was granted an additional year due to a redshirt also returns in the midfield.  Junior Ryan Thomas returns to anchor a backline that is going to require some rebuilding due to the departure of Jones who was a four-year starter and Imamura who was rock solid in 2008.   Other returning defenders who should be in the mix include juniors Cameron Lamming, Kevin Huang, and Shaun Culver, and sophomore Tommy Ryan.  Senior John Moore, who has been a starter for the past three seasons, returns in goal.  Moore was a Second Team All-Pac Ten selection as a sophomore in 2007 and an honorable mention All-Pac Ten selection last year as a junior.  Stanford has not been to the NCAA Tourney since Simon directed the Cardinal to back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2001 and 2002.  For the Cardinal to have a chance of making any real noise on the national scene and in Pac-10 play in 2009 someone is going to have to emerge to provide a consistent threat on the offensive side of the ball.  They are also going to need a break here and there and remain healthy in order to have a chance to turn the corner and begin winning on a regular basis.  There is talent on this team but they still are very much a work in progress.  If the offense does not gel, more underachievement will surely follow. 

 

Dersu Abolfathi - Irvine, California - Midfielder/Forward - University High School - Member of U.S. U-17 National Team -  Plays with the Los Angeles Galaxy U-18 Academy team. 

 

Eric Anderson - San Francisco, California - Midfielder - University High School - Plays for Marin FC - Member Regional ODP team.  

 

Jason Dodson - Lake Oswego, Oregon - Goalkeeper - Lakeridge High School - Member Oregon and Regional ODP team -  Plays club for Lake Oswego SC.  Considered among top goalkeeper recruits.

 

Hunter Gorskie - Marlboro Township, New Jersey - Defender - Marlboro High School - Member New Jersey and Regional ODP team - Plays for the Development Academy of New Jersey.

 

Adam Jahn - El Macero, California - Forward - Jesuit High School - Plays for San Juan Lightning SC - Member U.S. U-18 National Team - Named Gatorade California Player of the Year.

 

Galen Perkins - Westbrook, Maine -  Goalkeeper - Westbrook High School - Played club for Seacoast United - All League selection. Set record at Westbrook for singe season shutouts.