CALGARY – Optimism in 2010 was rewarded with historic success and a terrific third place finish in the competitive Canada West. Positive feelings remain the same in 2011 as the University of Calgary Dinos look to build on their recent accomplishments.

For the first time in team history the Calgary Dinos went undefeated at home in 2010, sporting a 6-0-1 record at the West Varsity Pitch, and at 8-4-2 overall, vaulted into the playoffs. Calgary fell in the Canada West semifinal by a heartbreaking 1-0 margin to the UBC Thunderbirds, who went on to lose by the same score in the CIS Championship final to the York Lions.

While the Dinos did lose the rugged leadership of their second team conference all-star J.P. Crescenzi as well as mainstays Brian Delaney and Matthew Reid, the Dinos are well-positioned in their personnel to maintain their high standing in Canada West.

Three more second team Canada West All-Stars return for Calgary, led by sensational forward Izak Lawrence. Lawrence ranked second in the conference in scoring in 2010, tallying 13 points, and showed no signs of slowing down in the off-season, leading the Alberta Major Soccer League in points for the second straight year.

The other two all-stars include midfielder Devin Delany, who is the team's lifeblood as Captain, and suffocating fullback Dustin Ruddell. Both are in their fifth and final years, and along with Jeremy Jenkyns and Christian Lorenzoni are expected to be key components of the Dinos surge for success.

Provincial champions with Calgary's own South West United, rookies Sean Daly and Jevan Bailey highlight a class of newcomers that Head Coach Brian McDonnell is particularly excited about. Daly and Bailey will both make a strong push for playing time alongside fellow freshman Jordan Unreiner who will battle veteran netminder Micheal Arnieri for the chance to fill the void left by Crescenzi.

In his first year in control, McDonnell pushed all the right buttons, and he is eager to take another shot at a loaded Canada West.

“I expect this to be one of the most competitive years in Canada West in recent memory,” said the second year coach. “There is a lot of parity in the conference right now.”

“It is our expectation to qualify for playoffs again this year, and build off one of our more successful seasons ever.”

The Dinos were ranked No. 6 out of the eight Canada West teams in the pre-season coaches' poll released Wednesday. Here are the complete results:

2011 Canada West Men's Soccer
Pre-Season Coaches' Poll
1. UBC (70)
2. Victoria (52)
3. Alberta (46)
4. Saskatchewan (38)
5. Trinity Western (36)
6. Calgary (25)
7. Fraser Valley (23)
8. Lethbridge (14)

The Dinos open the season on the road against fellow 2010 playoff teams Saskatchewan and Alberta on Sept. 10 and 11, respectively, before hosting the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Sept. 17.

-UC-