Old Dominion Monarchs
Overall Rank: #14
Conference Rank: #1 CAA
Old Dominion Team Page
Old Dominion is going into their final season in the CAA before their move to the C-USA. It was announced in May that ODU will make the move in July of 2013. While the administrators are working on the move, head coach Alan Dawson and the men’s soccer team are gearing up for their “farewell to the CAA” season. The Monarchs finished the 2011 season near the top making it to the semifinal game of the CAA tournament and moving on to the NCAA tournament.
2011 Record: 12-6-2, 7-3-1
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Alan Dawson
Strengths:
ODU has a solid roster returning for the 2012 season. Leading the offensive front are forwards Yannick Smith and Tim Hopkinson. Smith and Hopkinson led the Monarchs last season in goals tallying 26 goals out of the team’s 48 total. Gideon Asante and Chris Harmon help round out the offense for ODU. The defense also has some key returning players this season. Keeper Victor Francoz returns to the pitch while Alex De John, Jason Gaylord, and Ryan Oakes stand in between Francoz and the ball in the defender slots. The defense finished the 2011 season allowing 28 goals while Francoz recorded 86 saves in all 20 matches.
Weaknesses:
ODU welcomed a recruiting class of 11 new players adding to the 13 upper classmen. With half the team being veterans and the other half the recruiting class, Coach Dawson will be prepping the team and working with the new players to help them find their place. ODU’s defense will be working just as hard to fill any holes in their wall. After ending the season with 28 goals allowed the Monarchs will be looking to decrease that number this season. The offense is solid to begin with but will be tuning up with the new players and honing in on their shot accuracy.
Final Projection:
Coach Dawson will have plenty of time to tune his team before their preseason exhibitions against Georgetown and George Washington. With the solid offense behind leaders Smith and Hopkinson, and as long as the defense can come together, ODU will have a shot to take the CAA title before saying farewell. ODU will be looking to go to the NCAA tournament this season and will hope to make it past the second round. Look for ODU to enter the top ten early on and stay there throughout the rest of the regular season.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Yannick Smith, Senior, F, 16
Assists: Gideon Asante, Junior, M/F, 9
Shots: Yannick Smith, Senior, F, 64
Saves: Victor Francoz, Senior, GK, 86
Madness 2013 MLS Draft Rankings:
#9 Yannick Smith
