Drexel Dragons
Overall Rank: #32
Conference Rank: #1 CAA
Drexel Team Page
The expectations for Drexel were extremely low heading into the 2012 campaign. Few expected them to even compete in the CAA. The Dragons had other plans. After a bit of a slow start, Coach Doug Hess rallied his troops and the Dragons ended up 8-1-1 in conference play. As a result Drexel earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, their first trip since 1972. They did fall at home to Brown in the tournament, but just getting there was quite an accomplishment. Now it is time to build on the 2012 success.
2012 Record: 12-4-3, 8-1-1
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Doug Hess
Strengths:
The Dragons return more than enough talent to win another CAA title and Coach Hess has plenty of newcomers ready to make an impact as well. Nathan Page netted nine goals as a junior and will be the senior leader up front. Fabio Machado added four goals and five assists. Throw Ken Tribbett, Michele Pataia and Matheus Goncalves in the mix and the Dragons have plenty of playmakers and goal scoring threats. Guido Pena and John Grosh also netted a couple goals each during their sophomore seasons. It is this depth that will make it easy for Drexel to fill the few holes caused by graduation. Newcomers like Connor Ryan, Colin McGlynn, Felipe Fagundes and Adam Arana will be the new talent off of the bench. The defense has plenty of returning talent as well. Skylar Olson, Tal Bublil and Robert Liberatore are returning starters. Bublil is the anchor of the line and is heading into his fourth year as a starter. Mark Matula is the most highly regarded freshman of the incoming class and he will make an impact on the defense right away.
Weaknesses:
The question now is whether or not this group can play as the hunted. Nobody is going to look past the Dragons this year as was so often the case in 2012. Do they have what it takes to live up to their potential and live up to the hype? It remains to be seen. One thing that could keep Drexel out of the top spot in the CAA is replacing keeper Tim Washam. Pentti Pussinen will take over the starting job. He started the opening game before suffering a season ending injury. Back in 2011 he played every minute between the posts, so he is certainly an experienced and talented option. However, Washam deserves a ton of credit for the stellar defense that the Dragons boasted in 2012.
Final Projection:
Drexel has a lot to prove to themselves and the rest of the country. With a few stumbles in 2013, everyone will start calling last season a fluke. However, Coach Hess is building up talent at Drexel and he has done it before at Campbell. This is Coach Hess’ fourth season leading the Dragons and he was able to bring it all together in year three. Do not expect Drexel to disappear any time soon, but living up to their new found expectations will be tough too.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Nathan Page, Senior, M, 9
Assists: Fabio Machado, Junior, F, 5
Shots: Nathan Page, Senior, M, 48
Saves: Pentti Pussinen, Senior, GK, 2
Madness 2013 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#131 Mark Matula
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