WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: The 43rd season of Seattle University men's soccer kicks off this week with probably the toughest opening schedule in school history. The 2009 campaign begins with a home match against crosstown rival Washington, a program that has made numerous NCAA Division I tournament appearances and seemingly had control of the series over SeattleU during the time these teams constantly met. After that, the team heads out to Tulsa, Okla., for a tournament hosted by the University of Tulsa. SeattleU faces the host Golden Hurricane, coming off its winningest season ever, and SMU, a perennial power that is looking to rebound off what it considers a down year.
CAN HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?: Seattle University and Washington have not met in the regular season since Sept. 20, 2001, a 3-1 Husky victory. However, SeattleU is looking for a similar result to one that happened almost 13 years to the day. On Aug. 31, 1996, Seattle University defeated Washington, 1-0, in the season opener for both schools at the East Soccer Field (now known as Championship Field). Kurt Swanson, a member of the SU Athletic Hall of Fame, scored the goal while fellow Hall of Famer Jason Palmer posted the shutout for SeattleU despite facing 30 total shots from the Huskies.
A NEW HOME: The Seattle University men's soccer program begins its first season of play in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The Redhawks will play seven conference matches, four at home and three on the road, in 2009. SeattleU is not eligible for the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and therefore will not compete in the MPSF Tournament this year.
SCOUTING WASHINGTON: The Huskies are coming off an 8-8-2 season, including a 3-5-2 record in the Pac-10 that placed them in a tie for fourth place. The Huskies will look to make their 12th NCAA appearance in the last 15 years under head coach Dean Wurzberger. UW returns eight starters, including its leader goal-scorer in sophomore forward Brent Richards (8) and leader in assists, sophomore midfielder Dylan Tucker-Gangnes (6). The Huskies return both goalkeepers from last season: redshirt senior Rylan Hawkins and redshirt junior Stephen Fung.
SCOUTING TULSA: The Golden Hurricane won the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and finished with a 16-4-3 record, the most wins in school history. Tulsa welcomes back 17 letterwinners, including seven starters and 79 percent of its scoring output from last season. Austin Neil was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year after scoring a team-high 11 goals and earning four assists for 26 total points. The team will need to find a replacement for goalie Tyrel Lacey, who started 22 of the team's 23 matches last season.
SCOUTING SMU: The Mustangs finished with a 10-6-2 record during the 2008 season, including a 3-4-1 record in Conference USA. SMU brings back 17 letterwinners, including six starters. Head coach Tim McClements begins his second season as the leader of the Mustang men's soccer program. Paulo da Silva was named a preseason All-American by CollegeSoccerNews.com after leading the Mustangs with seven goals and 16 total points last season. da Silva was also named to the preseason all-conference team, as was defender Leone Cruz.
THE LEADER OF THE REDHAWKS: Brad Agoos begins his fourth season at the helm of the Seattle University men's soccer program. He has compiled a 38-14-3 record so far for the Redhawks. In his first season, he led the team to the Division II Elite Eight after winning the Far West Region. After another Division II Tournament appearance in 2007, he helped the squad post a 7-2 record against Division I opponents in 2008, including the title of the UC Irvine College Classic and a road victory over WCC school Portland.