GW Men's Soccer Season Outlook

8/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Aug. 27, 2014

The George Washington men's soccer team will look to build upon last season's results when it kicks off the 2014 campaign this weekend.

The 2013 Colonials scored four more goals and allowed 16 less from the 2012 squad. More importantly, GW showed it could play with the "big boys," taking three nationally ranked teams - UMBC, Dayton and Saint Louis - to overtime and coming away with draws in two of those matches while opening Atlantic 10 play 2-0-2 in its first four contests.

Third-year head coach Craig Jones and his staff brought in seven newcomers to add considerable depth to the 2014 roster, which boasts 21 returning players, creating competition for each position.

"Adding more depth allows us to use more players throughout the season and rest guys when we need to do so," said Coach Jones.

The Colonials return their starting back line, including seniors Andri Alexandersson and Matthew Scott and 2013 A-10 All-Rookie Team selection Tobi Adewole, as well as sophomore Miles McClearn, while adding a couple key freshmen in local product Ismail Lapp-Kamara and British import Christian Lawal.

"When you have seniors and upperclassmen returning you certainly expect them to lead and be a presence for us," said Coach Jones. "But don't be surprised if some of our younger guys get minutes throughout the year."

Coach Jones expects to see some competition for playing time in the midfield, where returners such as senior Farhan Khan, juniors Ross Higgins, Philip McQuitty and Eddie Painter and sophomores Garrett Heine and Sam Summerlin will be pushed by freshmen Koby Osei-Wusu and Alex Conning.

"I feel that we have more balance and options this year to play some different formations in the midfield should we need to do so," he explained.

With the graduation of last season's top scorer Tyler Ranalli, Coach Jones hopes to see an offense-by-committee in 2014. Junior Jonny Forrest scored three goals a year ago, all game-winners, while Heine, Higgins, Khan and sophomore Angel Valencia should all be counted on to score as well.

"Our aim is to not rely on one or two players but as a group to score by committee so we are getting goals from all areas," the coach said. "If some of our forwards can get hot that's great, but we need others to step up and contribute to share that work load."

Senior Luke Farrell and junior Jean-Pierre van der Merwe have shared the starting load over the last two seasons, but junior Jack Lopez will push them in 2014.

"All of our keepers are returning so you would expect any one of them to be able to start in any game this year," said Coach Jones. "Just like our outfield players you earn the right to start on merit and performance in games and practice, so each game we will assess who is the best man for the job for that particular game."

GW opens the 2014 season at the Kuykenstrong D.C. College Cup against District rivals American and Howard on Friday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 31.

"Overall we are excited to get things going this fall," Coach Jones said. "We feel stronger as a group than last year, and if we can keep the players healthy and keep building on the group mentality to win games we will give ourselves a chance in every game. The big picture is to get back into the A-10 Tournament to give ourselves a chance of winning a conference championship."