Despite having a losing record last season, the men's soccer team seems primed for success this season with an impressive class of incoming first-years and transfer students as well as an extra year of experience for the young roster. While a large group of impressive recruits was brought in last year, this year's crop is even more massive and is at least equally impressive. The team brought in nine first-years and two transfer students, ballooning the roster to 36 players. The NCAA mandates a maximum of 32 players, meaning that the at least four players will be cut from the team.

Possibly the most impressive new face is midfielder Theo Terris '12, a transfer from Division I Boston University.

"[Terris is] a wonderful player and could be one of the best players we have had in a number of years," Coach Michael Coven said. "In high school, [Terris] was considered the best player in Eastern Massachusetts."

Terris, who played his high school soccer at nearby Concord-Carlisle High School, was named the 2007 Boston Globe All-Scholastic Player of the Year."

Of the nine incoming first-years, two of them won All New England honors last season; midfielder Nicholas George '14 and midfielder Ben Applefield '14.

The Judges, which went 6-10-2 and 1-5-2 in the University Athletic Association last season, brought in two other highly touted midfield first-year recruits; Kyle Feather '14 and Tudor Livaadaru '14.

"[The first-years] are all very good and will help, some of them, from day one," said Coven. "Last year's incoming class was very good, and this one is as good, if not better. A lot of our better players are going to be the young kids."

The team will need all the midfield help that it can get, as all five of last year's graduating seniors played at least some midfield for the team over their careers. The squad will be especially hard-pressed to replace Corey Bradley '10, who won All-UAA honors both of the past two seasons.

While it will be difficult to replace the former captain, Coven highlighted midfielders Sam Ocel '13 and Lee Russo '13 as players who he felt were more than capable of stepping up this season.

Another loaded position for the Judges this season will be goalie. Incumbent Matt Lynch '11, who Coven said "started slowly but came on very well at the end of the year," will be challenged by Taylor Brackens '11 and Blake Minchoff '13 for the starting job.

Brackens was the starter two seasons ago, but injury forced him off of the roster in last season's campaign.

"They're all going to fight it out, and they're going to continually improve by pushing each other," Coven said, adding that it is Lynch's position to lose at the moment.

The Judges' defense also looks strong this season with the return of All-UAA honorees and co-team MVPs David McCoy '12, and Ari Silver '12. The two anchored the center of the defense last season, missing just two starts combined.

"They really stabilize our defense and should be even better this season with another year under their belts," Coven said.

Up front, the team will look to forward Alexander Farr '12 to replicate his strong second season, during which he led the squad with seven goals and 14 points.

Forward Matt Peabody '13 had four goals last season and will also play a key role. Russo, Terris and several of Brandeis' other midfielders could also see time in the attacking third.

Despite the team's lackluster record last season, Coven noted the tough schedule his team faced.

"Our record wasn't good, but our schedule was very competitive," he said. "We lost a lot of very, very close games. So while we were playing almost equal to very competitive teams, we can't be happy to be playing well against them; we have to go beat them."

Still, Coven is excited about his team's chances this year with his new additions and returners from last season.

"They have worked very hard this offseason, and they are going to be a very good team."

The team will begin its season Sep. 4 when Brandeis takes on Rutgers University-Camden at the Adidas Kick-Off Classic at Wheaton College.