(9) Northwestern
Last season: 15-5-3, 3-3-0 in Big Ten Conference
Result: Was third in regular season standings; lost to Michigan State in conference tourney semifinals; advanced to quarterfinals of NCAAs.
Head coach: Tim Lenehan
Key Returners: F Matt Eliason (Jr.), D Mark Blades (Sr.), M Peter O’Neill (So.), F Oliver Kupe (So.), M Piero Bellizzi (Jr.), D Cody Stanley
Key Subtractions: D Drew Ratner, D Brian Usinger, M Tyler Voigt

Lost to Michigan State in semifinals 1-0
Lost to North Carolina 1-0 in the quarterfinals

2009 TEAM PREVIEW

The Northwestern Wildcats aren’t exactly off to the start the program had envisioned, but don’t be alarmed. All the ingredients are in place for another successful season.

 The Wildcats were known for their defensive mentality last season, an approach that put them within a few breaks of advancing to the College Cup. Despite losing crucial defenders Drew Ratner and Brian Usinger, the team still has a lot of important contributors returning to fill out the backline.

Senior Mark Blades is the obvious leader for the defensive squad. Named an NSCAA third-team All-American, Blades started in every match and has the ability to contribute offensively as well. Senior Pat Coleman and Cody Stanley are also two regular starters returning to the fold. Both players contributed to a defense that ranked sixth in the country with a 0.55 goals-against-average and posted 13 shutouts on the year. Senior goalkeeper Misha Rosenthal is back in goal to lead this vaunted unit.

Matt Eliason is the offensive workhouse of the group. Elliason’s 25 points scored made up nearly a third of the team’s production in 2008. The junior forward already has three goals in two contests this year – a tie with Green Bay and a loss to DePaul – and wouldn’t shock anyone to surpass last years mark of 12 goals.

Supporting Eliason is sophomore midfielder Peter O’Neill whose play earned him all-conference freshman honors in 2008. Midfielder Piero Bellizzi and strikers Oliver Kupe and Kevin Valenta were major contributors to the team’s attack and will be counted on even more this season.

But this team will make its hay with its defensive ability. And in defense (pun intended) of Northwestern’s first two games, it’s early – there’s plenty of time to go.