The BR-24 Old Dominion soccer team didn't make the NCAA D1 Men's Soccer Tournament last season, but the Monarchs played exceptionally well against the toughest competition and would have had Cinderella potential if their card had been called on selection day. In four games against D1 Men's Soccer Top 25 teams last season, the Monarchs went 1-1-2, with a win over Akron and draws with both Kentucky and USF.
ODU will look a bit different this season with 12 newcomers dotting the roster – four of whom come from overseas.
Preseason All-Conference USA goalkeeper Alex Tiesenhausen (Courtesy of ODU Athletics)
Head Coach: Alan Dawson
2015 Finish: 8-5-3 (Lost in Conference USA Quarterfinals to FIU, 4-2)
Key Returners: Jesse Miralrio (MF/F); Alex Tiesenhausen (GK); Cole Stringer (MF); Niko Klosterhalfen (MF/F); Nick Hutchinson (D)
Games to Watch: Sept. 9-11 ODU Classic (the longest-running active D-I men's tourney)
Key Newcomers: Jack Driscoll – transfer from West Virginia; Milan DeVuyst – from Belgium; Doni Pollock – from Australia; Julien Bertho and Sebastian Hauret – from France.
What Else? Head coach Alan Dawson has a current career record of 343-146-45 (214-116-35 at ODU). Two of his assistants are ODU alum (Chris Harmon '12 and Sean Stowe '14). Last year's squad made it as high as a No. 9 ranking in the NSCAA poll.
