CALGARY – Optimism is the buzz word in the University of Calgary men's soccer camp in 2010, with a new coach, several key veterans in their last year of eligibility and a solid recruiting class ready to build on the momentum of a solid fifth place finish in 2009.

For the second straight season the Dinos will see a change at the head coaching position with Brian McDonnell taking over from Ken Price. An assistant under Price in 2009, McDonnell is a former goalkeeper with the Dinos, having played from 2003-2007. His experience both as a player in the system as well as a coach of last year's squad who surprised many in Canada West should serve him well as he leads the team forward through the competitive conference.

His former teammate and partner in net, #J.P. Crescenzi#, enters his final year with the Dinos in 2010 and will be a key contributor after posting four shutouts in 2009. The Calgary native had a productive off-season, allowing a league-low 12 goals in 18 games with eight shutouts for the provincial champion Calgary Dinosaurs Major League team this summer.

Two other fifth year players, defender Matthew Reid and midfielder Brian Delaney, will be expected to provide leadership and consistency for a young Dinos team.

A potential breakthrough player, Izak Lawrence, who was lost to injury in 2009, led the Alberta Major Soccer League this summer with 15 goals in 18 games and will be counted upon to replicate that success in Canada West play for the Dinos.

Rookie midfielders J.J. Cristobal and Cole Ross, defender Jason Genee and striker Brett Howard opted to stay home and play for the Dinos after finding enormous success with the Calgary-based Foothills Crew in 2009. They took the Sony U18 Cup in convincing fashion, winning 7-1 in the championship final.

Howard, who scored a hat trick in the championship victory, could very easily push for a starting position with his dynamic offensive capabilities. His name is familiar across the pond, as the young forward recently visited numerous English Premier League club systems.

McDonnell believes that the Dinos have the pieces to compete in 2010.

“We are very optimistic this year,” said the first-year coach. “We have a great recruiting class coming in, we will be very tough to play at home, and we are capable of stealing some points on the road.

“We can definitely push for a top-four finish in Canada West,” he concluded.

The Dinos open the season at home against the defending Canada West champions Victoria Vikes and the Fraser Valley Cascades on Sept. 11 and 12, respectively.

-UC-