DC Metro NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer season preview: George Washington Colonials

By Tom Myrick

One of the great things about being a soccer fan: there is very little down time. No sooner has the excitement of the World Cup worn off, than it’s time for the MLS playoff push, the beginning of European league play and, a bit closer to home, the kick-off of the NCAA college season. Here we break down the top Division I teams in the Metro DC area, who to watch for and what games not to miss, as the college season gets underway.

[ Editor\'s Note: We are also including the University of Virginia in our DC Metro preview - who can leave out the defending national champions when they\'re so close to DC? ]

[ + University of Maryland Terrapins ]
[ + Georgetown University Hoyas ]
[ + University of Virginia Cavaliers ]
[ + American University Eagles ]
[ + George Mason Patriots ]

George Washington Colonials
Head Coach – George Lidster (188-175-49, 23rd season)
Starters Returning/Lost – 3/8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost – 13/14
2009 Record – 10-8-0
2009 Conference Finish – 4-5-0 (Ninth in Atlantic 10)
2009 Postseason – none
Season Opener – 9/1 vs. George Mason at American University’s DC College Cup
Don’t Miss: when GW entertains equally high-scoring Charlotte on Oct. 15

While they might not get the same attention that their local ACC rivals do, when it comes to entertaining soccer, it was tough to go wrong with George Washington last season. The Colonials ranked No. 18 in the nation in goals per game, finding the net 34 times in their 18 games (1.89 average).

Unfortunately, GW also conceded 30 goals last season as well, a number that certainly needs to decrease if the Colonials want to break back into the six-team Atlantic 10 postseason tournament for the first time since 2004.

Another local team undergoing a major overhaul, the Foggy Bottom side lost eight starters from last season, including Hermann Trophy candidate and leading scorer Andy Stadler.

Junior Yoni Berhanu, however, has proven himself to be more than capable of carrying the load. A creative playmaker in the front for the Colonials, Berhanu contributed six assists last season (sixth-best in the A10) to bring him to 10 assists for his two-year career. A four-goal scorer in 2009 as well, GW will look to Berhanu to provide leadership during this rebuilding process.

In addition, the team brings back a pair of experienced defenders in junior Brice Carr and senior Kory Trott, both of whom logged over 1,000 minutes on the pitch for the Colonials last year.

To deal with his numerous departures, head coach George Lidster has filled his roster with a number of young prospects, including midfielder Alex Sandland from Atlanta’s decorated Concorde Fire Elite squad and Ashburn’s Abdul Shaban from the McLean Hurricanes. These 10 newcomers can expect a trial by fire, as Lidster will certainly need them to step up and fill the gaps, particularly in the midfield, left by his graduating class.