The Triangle

Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Sports

Drexel's first ever All-First team CAA selection Brian Ruff (center) leads the men's soccer team into the 2008 campaign. The Dragons, who finished 8-2-1 in the CAA, are looking to better their 11-5-3 regular season mark. Thanks to Ruff, Drexel finished in the top 50 nationally in team defense a year ago.

There's no question that the men's soccer team is looking for redemption this season. Last year, after starting off with a 6-0 record, the Dragons finished the regular season with an 8-2-1 record in conference play and an 11-4-3 record in the regular season.

But despite winning a share of the conference, they struggled the last five games of the season and lost to Towson in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament.

"Those games were not that different from the rest of the season," coach Lew Meehl said. "If you aren't close to the game of soccer, you don't realize the quality of Division I soccer. When they see you win six then you lose a couple, they aren't aware of how good the talent is."

Nevertheless, it will be difficult to surpass the accomplishments from last year, but the team is confident in its abilities.

Bryan Ruff, the team's top defender last season, Drexel's first ever First Team-All CAA selection and a member of the 2008 Preseason All-CAA Men's Soccer Team, is ready for any challenges his team may face.

"Living up to our success last year will be tough," Ruff said. "We are an experienced team now, but the program is still new to success. We have to make sure we keep it going in the right direction."

The men's soccer team thrived off of its defense in 2007, allowing the fewest goals in the conference and ranking among the top 50 nationally in team defense.

While Ruff led the defense, Fabio Assumpcao did a tremendous job on the offensive side at midfield last season. Not only was he second on the team in assists and third in points, but, like Ruff, Assumpcao was also named to the 2008 Preseason All-CAA Men's Soccer Team.

He discussed what he needs to improve on to give his team a better chance of winning the conference and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

"As a team we should play more with the ball on the ground and work to score more goals this year," Assumpcao said. "Individually I need to release the ball faster than last year and create more opportunities to my teammates to score. We have to be careful to put aside our anxiety so play our best on the field and not let our expectations interfere with our game."

If Ruff's expectations hold true, it could be a huge season for the Dragons offensively.

"I had one [goal] last year," Ruff said. "This year it will be five goals, no less."

The bottom line is that Ruff, Assumpcao and the rest of the men's soccer team are out to prove something.

"We want to make a lasting impression and show the country that Drexel soccer is the real deal," Ruff said.

Their chance to make that impression starts Aug. 29 against Hartwick.

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