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TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team will kick off its 2013 season late Friday afternoon against Drexel at Vidas Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.

The 2013 campaign will mark the start of Head Coach Seth Roland's 17th season at FDU. His team is coming off the program's 19th trip to the NCAA Tournament and seventh Northeast Conference Tournament title. The Knights have gone to six NCAA Tournaments under Roland and have won the same amount of NEC Tournaments under the program's all-time winningest coach.

A year ago, FDU won a pair of road contests in the NCAA Tournament against No. 18 St. John's (1-0) and No. 12 Saint Louis (2-1, 2OT), before falling in overtime at No. 5 North Carolina, 1-0. The Knights finished the season ranked in a tie for 20th in the final NSCAA/Continental Tire rankings and enter 2013 ranked 26th in the same poll and 30th in the College Soccer News Preseason Top 30 poll.

FDU will seek to keep the momentum going in 2013 but will have to do so without the services of standout midfielders Jack McVey (Douglas, Isle of Man/St. Ninian’s ) (6g, 5a) and Anthony Moore (2g, 7a) and center back Jason Wells (Montclair, NJ/Montclair), who have graduated. In addition, the Knights must replace the offensive productivity provided by forward Jan Aubert (Sandvika, Norway/Donski) (5g, 2a).

FDU looks to be in very good shape on the defensive side of the ball heading into the season. It all begins with senior Jacob Lissek (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Rock Canyon), who has been the main man in goal for the Knights for the past three seasons. Lissek is an outstanding shot-stopper who will enter the 2013 season with 21 career shutouts, which places him in a tie for the most in program history.

The Knights' backline will be anchored by 2012 First Team All-NEC and NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region First Team selection Nicholas Walker (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago/St. Mary's) (2g, 0a), who has been a starter since arriving on campus in 2010. Walker is a ball winner with the size and athletic ability needed to be an impact player.  

Redshirt senior Jeffrey Barrenechea (Lodi, N.J./Paramus Catholic) (0g, 1a), a 2012 Second Team All-NEC Second Team selection, returns at the right back position, and sophomore Sam Durkot (Centereach, N.Y./Newfield) (0g, 1a) returns at left back with the benefit of a year of starting experience under his belt. Durkot might also see playing time in 2013 as a midfielder depending on how Roland elects to utilize his players. Newcomer Tchamy Dantse Dantse (Darmstadt, Germany/Gymnasium-Gernsheim) from Frankfurt, Germany looks to be in the hunt for the center back slot vacated by Jason Wells (Montclair, NJ/Montclair), and transfer Deshawn Forbes (Kingston, Jamaica/St. George's College), who saw action in 10 matches during his freshman season at Marshall, should also compete immediately for playing time in the back.

Offensive productivity in general and the midfield in particular are potential trouble areas for the Knights due to the loss of McVey, Moore, and Aubert. A lot rides on the ability of Roland to effectively fill the gaps that exist due to their departure. What is not in question is the play of junior holding midfielder Anders Vest-Hansen (Nykobing, Denmark/Celf) (0g, 1a), who has been a starter for the past two seasons and is the guy who will set the pace for the entire team. Vest-Hansen has a great work ethic, is at the center of FDU's possession oriented attack, and is also a solid defender.  

Junior Godfred Baafi (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack ) (2g, 1a), who was a starter last year, is among returning midfielders who should play a key role in 2013. Other returning linkmen who look to be in the hunt for a greater role in 2013 include juniors Manny Calixto (Passaic, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and Miguel Escobar (Medellin, Columbia/The Columbus School) (1g, 0a) and sophomore Yusuf Hamza (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) (1g, 0a). Martin Lukaschik (Neubrandenburg, Germany/Sportsgymnasium Neubrandenburg) is among the members of the recruiting class who may challenge for playing time in the center of the field.   

Junior forward Nico Wright (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Jamaica College) (5g, 2a) returns to power the attack in the front. Wright is very effective with his back to the goal and has the combination of size and speed that can cause problems for defenders. However, the ability of others to step up and share the offensive burden is a critical success factor for the Knights. Sophomore Simon Doherty (West Lothian, Scotland/West Calder) (3g, 2a), who saw action in 21 contests last year, is among the likely candidates to do that. Seniors David Cornwell (London, England/Drayton Manor) (1g, 1a) and Kean Lewis (Patlipada Thane West, India/) are among other returning forwards who will seek to add offensive punch. Forward Enver Caymaz (Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes) is among the new recruits with the potential to contribute to the attack once he has made the transition to the college game.

Roland may have to make some adjustments in his system of play to align with the talent of the personnel he has on board, but this is clearly a program with an identity. FDU will likely play a possession oriented style of soccer, and it will continue to place pressure on their opponents in order to disrupt the flow of their game. When the Knights play with patience and when they are able to dictate the tempo of a match, they are a very difficult opponent.  

Drexel
2012 Recap: (12-4-3; 8-1-1 CAA) - Lost in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament to Brown, 2-0
When: Friday, August 30 – 4 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia, Pa. (Vidas Field)
Series History: FDU leads 3-1
Last Meeting: September 7, 2002 – Drexel 2 FDU 0
What You Need To Know: The last time the Knights and the Dragons met, it was in Philadelphia and FDU made a trip to the NCAA Tournament that season. Drexel scored in the 88th minute and followed with a second goal in the 90th minute for its first win in the series. The Knights are 7-7-2 in season openers under Head Coach Seth Roland and have won four of their last five to start the season.

Next Up
The 2013 home opener under the lights at University Stadium against Lehigh on Monday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.