Aug. 31, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - Temple men's soccer coach David MacWilliams is hoping his young men will develop quickly as his 2007 Owls prepare to open play at Navy in the Naval Academy Tournament Friday night. The Cherry and White returns 15 letterwinners from last year's squad, but only four of those returnees have more than one season of experience in the Owl system.

"We have a young team and the key to our season may be getting off to a good start," said MacWilliams, who enters his eighth season at the helm. "If we can pick up a few wins to start the season, and gain some confidence, then we can move forward and have a successful campaign."

MacWilliams, who led Temple to back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference championship match appearances in 2003 and 2004, will be looking to return the program to the conference tournament for the first time in three seasons. To accomplish that, he will need to have someone step up offensively.

Last year, the Owls struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just 12 goals in a 2-14-2 season.

"We will have to do it by committee," said MacWilliams on the offense. "We have a few kids that are going to score some goals, but we do not have any dominant player. Mike Minai is a guy that can potentially score five to eight goals and we have switched him from mid to forward to help generate some offense."

Minai, one of four seniors on the Owls squad, will be counted on not just to score, but to help lead the young Temple offense. Sophomore Augustin Coly and newcomers Hannes Egebrand, Brian Henderson, Greg Strompolos will look to finish while freshman All-America Jared Harris will distribute from the center midfield position. Sophomore J.T. Noone and freshman Max Kinderwater are also expected to contribute

Senior goalkeeper Tony Pratico (1.54 gaa.) will spearhead a defense that returns three starters - junior James Suevo and sophomores Brant Hovington and Martin Dell'Arciprete. Junior transfer Mackenson Altidor is expected to challenge for a starting role on the Temple defense that allowed just 1.73 goals per game.

The Owls play their first seven matches on the road before hosting Philadelphia University on September 26.