The University of Louisville men's soccer team will begin the 2011 season as the No. 1 team in the country according to College Soccer News.
1. Louisville - Ken Lolla knows how to build winners. He has worked wonders at Louisville in a short period of time. Nine starters return from the 2010 squad that was 20-1-3 with their lone loss at the hands of Akron 1-0 in the National Championship game. Junior All-American forward Colin Rolfe (9g, 7a) will power the attack up-top. Senior Nick DeLeon (8g, 3a) and sophomore Dylan Mares (8g, 4a) are talented midfielders who add another element to the attack. Senior All-American Austin Berry anchors the backline and senior Andre Boudreaux returns in goal. Off-season difficulties may prove to be a distraction but the Cardinals appear to be moving forward in a positive manner.
The Cardinals, who begin practice on Aug. 10, will open the season at home on Aug. 27 against UCLA. CSN just so happens to have the Bruins pegged ad the nation's second-best team.
Big east squads Connecticut (7), Notre Dame (11) and West Virginia (22) also make appearances in the CSN top 30. Perennial powerhouse and recent U of L rival Indiana checks in at No. 15.