Coming off of a 2014 campaign where it earned a spot in national top-25 polls for the first time in program history and reached greater heights in the NCAA's RPI ratings than ever before, the Valparaiso University men's soccer program enters the 2015 season looking to take another step forward. Head coach Mike Avery looks to blend 15 returnees with a large group of 18 newcomers, and the Crusaders will be tested right off the bat - traveling to take on Top Drawer Soccer #14 Kentucky Friday night and playing at Cincinnati Monday evening.

Building From the Back

Known as one of the strongest defensive sides in the Midwest, Avery will again look to the Crusaders' defensive corps to neutralize the opposition's scoring threats.

Leading the charge in the back will be junior goalkeeper Nico Campbell. Entering his second season as the Crusaders' starter in goal, Campbell led the Horizon League last season in both GAA (0.81) and save percentage (.800), the former mark ranking second in a single season in program history. Campbell gained valuable experience this spring and summer in goal for the Jamaica u23 side during CONCACAF Caribbean Zone Olympic qualifying. Spainiard Nacho Miras comes in as a freshman and is expected to be Campbell's backup.

In front of Campbell in the center of the defense, fans can expect to see a pair of fellow Jamaicans. Omar Lawrence - one of the team's two captains - started 17 matches at center back last year as a sophomore and was a Third Team All-Region selection. Fellow junior Adrian Graham started all eight of the matches he was healthy for last season as well.

Newcomer Deven Mason looks to slot in the Crusader lineup at right back at the start of the campaign. The Virginia Tech transfer, who holds junior eligiblity, started 16 matches at outside back for the Hokies in his last season of play in 2013. Jacob Gandarilla, who started 17 matches last year for Valpo, will play at left back and also slide up into the midfield for the Crusaders, while High Point transfer Kevin Fallet will challenge for time both at center back and left back.

Controlling the Center of the Park

The midfield can make or break a team's game plan, and Avery has a number of talented pieces in the middle of the field to try to control the game.

Anchoring the midfield will be Cincinnati State transfer Okama Thompson. The junior was a First Team All-Region performer last season for the Surge, helping them to top-15 rankings nationally both seasons. In front of Thompson will be sophomore Ramone Howell, who was a Horizon League All-Freshman Team selection last year and spent time with Campbell with the Jamaican u23 side this year.

Leading the way for the Crusaders in the wide midfield positions is senior captain Jordan Aidoud. Aidoud paced Valpo offensively last season with four goals and four assists, and enters his final year with nine career goals and seven career helpers. Junior Nelson Landaverde comes to Valpo from Neosho County Community College, where he was an NJCAA All-American after earning Gatorade State Player of the Year honors for Arkansas in high school.

Florida Gulf Coast transfer Isaiah Madrid brings two seasons of eligibility with him to Valpo, where he's expected to contribute at attacking midfielder. Madrid was the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year at FGCU in 2013, tallying seven goals and five assists in his two years there. Junior Suleiman Thomas, who appeared in 17 matches off the bench last year, should challenge for playing time in the midfield as well.

Finding the Back of the Net

Up top, the Crusaders will look for players to step into starting roles this season.

Sophomore Stian Sandbekkhaug made 17 appearances off the bench as a freshman last year for Valpo, finishing his rookie campaign with three goals and an assist. Sandbekkhaug's helper came on the lone goal in the Crusaders' 1-0 win against #7 Michigan State, while he scored two of his three goals in a Horizon League win over Wright State.

Junior Matt Gweh made an impact for the Crusaders in his first year at Valpo last year, scoring three goals in 10 games, including four starts. Gweh, who ranked sixth in the league in goals/game, tallied a pair of goals within Horizon League play. Senior Jorge Bermudez will be in the mix for Valpo at forward as well.