Boasting 11 upperclassmen and bringing in an exciting recruiting class, the 2009 Concordia Texas men's soccer team appears poised for a breakout year.

The Tornados won three of its first eight games in 2008, then went winless for the remaining 10 contests to finish the season 3-15 overall and 2-11 in the American Southwest Conference. Six of the Tornados' 15 losses came by a margin of just one goal.

Second year head coach Dan Darden is optimistic that his club will be much improved in 2009. Darden believes the leadership and experience of the 2009 team will help turn things around.

"I'm excited with the number of returners we have this season," Darden said. "We have our largest group of seniors ever. We have solid leadership and our guys have more accountability with the team. The younger players are responding well to our upperclassmen and it is really adding to the chemistry of our team."

Senior midfielder #Brian Friend# and junior goalkeeper #Eric Davis#, both honorable mention All-ASC selections in 2008, return for the Tornados in 2009. Friend is the leading returning scorer for the Tornados after notching four goals a year ago.

"Brian has a really high soccer IQ," Darden said. "He works really hard at improving his game. He shows a great deal of ability and understanding of how the game needs to be played.

Davis returns after finishing fourth in the conference in saves (114).

"Eric is indispensable," Darden said. "We would have severely lacked in goal without him last season. Last year he came in with more focus and improved every day. He really made our soccer team competitive last season."

Seniors #Michael Pena#, #Armando Dimeo# and #Conor Woolbert# add to the experience on the pitch for Concordia. Pena netted two goals in 14 games for the Tornados last season.

"Michael is a leader on the field that takes our practice to the next level," Darden said. "He demands that everyone gives 100% all of the time and he recognizes when guys aren't giving it there all."

Dimeo scored one goal and posted one assist in 13 games for Concordia last season and Woolbert was a mainstay in the midfield after seeing action in 17 games.

"Both Armando and Conor are two of the guys that are the heart and soul of this team," Darden said. "Armando is as steady as it gets on the field and Conor has a workman-like attitude and really helps our team control the pace of the game."

Junior midfielder #Travis Westfall# scored scored two goals and recorded one assist last season.

"Travis is very competitive and doesn't quit," Darden said. "He is a fantastic player and we are expecting him to have a break out season."

Junior defender #Lyle Dixon# played in 14 games as a defender last season, showing a lot of improvement.

"Lyle is the most improved player we've had in the last two seasons," Darden said. "He has cleaned up his footwork and is very physically along the back line for us. He continues to be really solid and his work ethic is outstanding."

Seniors #Cameron Wiles# and #Charles Slater# will compete for playing time this season.

"Both of these guys are vital to our success as a team," Darden said. "They push everyone during practice and set the tone for the entire team."

13 newcomers will provide depth and excitement to the 2009 team.

"Most importantly, the key is to just keep getting better," Darden said. "We lost a lot of tight games last season and a lot of that had to do with our lack of depth. This season we have players that we can put in multiple positions and have become a deeper team."

Freshman goalkeeper #Ubaldo Vazquez# has excited the coaching staff after only a short time on campus.

"Ubaldo is as skilled as any goalkeeper in our conference," Darden said. "I don't see any reason why he cannot be the future of our goalkeeping. He has huge potential and is very clutch."

Sophomore transfer #Drew Kasper# adds experience to the program after playing at Concordia University-Chicago last season.

"Drew is a left-footed player that will see time on the outside," Darden said. "He handles the ball well and has good speed. He gives us depth that we were lacking last year."

Freshman #Sebastian Parra# decided to stay close to home and could have an immediate impact for the Tornados.

"Sebastian understands the game and is very quick," Darden said. "He is someone that can come in and be a difference maker as a freshman."

Freshmen #Chase Michalak#, #Matt Abrahamsen# and both have the ability to compete for quality playing time this season.

"Chase comes from a good program," Darden said. "He plays simple and is very physical. Opposing players will not forget playing against him because of how physical he plays the game."

Freshmen forward #Taylor Granato# enters the collegiate game after posting an impressive high school career.

"Taylor was a big-time scorer for his high school team," Darden said. "I am hoping that he can learn from our returning players and become a goal scorer at this level."

The 2009 team will rely on good leadership from the coaching staff down through the roster. Overall, the club has more depth and has a chance to compete day-in and day-out with the teams on the 2009 schedule.

This year the Tornados have their sights set on the upper-tier of the conference with hopes of making an appearance in the conference playoffs.

"The goal every year if you are playing in this league is to make it to the conference tournament," Darden said. "You can go into the conference tournament as the last seed and still be in position to win the title. Just getting there is the most important thing."