* Number in parenthesis denotes TopDrawerSoccer preseason college ranking. See complete rankings here.

(18) SMU
Last season: 10-6-2, 3-4-1 in Conference USA
Result: Fourth in regular season standings, lost in first round of conference tournament.
Head coach: Tim McClements
Key Returners: F Paulo da Silva (Sr.), D Leone Cruz (Jr.), F/M Dane Saintus (Sr.), M Diogo de Almeida (So.), F Arthur Ivo (So.), M Kekoa Osorio (Jr.)
Key Subtractions: M Jeff Harwell, M Gabriel Arrendondo

Photos courtesy of: SMU Athletic Dept.

2009 TEAM PREVIEW

The SMU Mustangs will take a mulligan on last season. It was a year marked by transition and injuries, none bigger than the loss of leading scorer Paulo da Silva, who had his stellar campaign shortened by a major quad injury.

Silva’s clean bill of heath is one of the many reasons to be optimistic about the program this time around. A couple of promising sophomores are worth keeping an eye on as well. Diogo de Almeida, who burst onto the scene and recorded five goals and 12 points as a freshman is a big-time player along with Arthur Ivo, another member of last year’s All-Freshman team.

Senior Dane Saintus and junior Kekoa Osorio will be key, as will preseason all-conference back Leone Cruz, a junior who is also capable of getting forward and aiding the attack.

One under the radar player is Craig Hill, the squad’s dependable goalkeeper who is coming off of shoulder surgery.

But the team’s most important returner might very well be coach Tim McClements, who is heading into his second year and should impose even more of his identity on the program.

“The transition year is always a challenge,” McClements said. “I’ve been here with the program a while so it’s not as though I was learning or bringing in a new system though. The main thing this year is I think we’re looking to have minimal injuries. We have a really good mix of players with young talent and great experience.”

With three redshirt seniors on this team, the Mustangs still have five holdovers from the 2005 group that advanced all the way to the College Cup - not a bad piece of nostalgia to have around.

“The character of our team will determine how far we go,” McClements said. “If we can keep it all together we could be very good.”