The University of Dayton men's soccer team kicks off the season with a game against the University of Cincinnati Wednesday, Sept. 1.

The Flyers are following a terrific season which included a regular season Atlantic-10 Conference championship, a No. 23 national ranking and a runner-up finish to Saint Louis in the post-season tournament.

"Considering the bad start at 0-3-1 and coming back to win the league, it was a very successful season," head coach Dennis Currier said. "We won 14 out of our last 15 before losing in the A-10 championship game. We played about as good as any team in the nation in the second half of the season."

This year's team has a much different look from the success of 2009. There are 18 new faces, and it is particularly revamped on the offensive side of the ball. Old talent certainly remains, and new talent has arrived.

Tommy Watkins, last year's team defensive player of the year, was named to the A-10's preseason all- conference team and is a candidate for the Lowe's 2010 Senior CLASS Award, a national honor for the top "student-athletes of the year" in nine different NCAA sports.

Watkins was one of four Flyers named to the A-10 top 20 college players-to-watch list, and those four selections lead the conference for any team. The other players are junior defender Jack Pearson, junior goalie Tyler Picard and freshman midfielder Marion Duran.

"I actually think we have more talent this year, but it might take a few games to find our rhythm and get used to our different style of play," Picard said.

The conference has taken notice of the potential-laden Flyers. Dayton is picked to finish third behind Saint Louis and Charlotte by the league's head coaches. The first two exhibition games resulted in a 2-0 loss to Butler and a 2-1 loss against Kentucky before concluding with last Wednesday's annual Red/White team scrimmage.

"We progressed a great deal in the second game and got a better handle on what our new offense can do," Currier said. "The downside thus far has been the inexperience which has led to some erratic play. We need to learn to compete consistently."

After last year's strong finish, expectations are again high at the outset despite the roster turnover. The team's goals could even change depending on how the season progresses.

Because of this, the veteran players recognize their need to step up this year, both with how they play and with how they must lead the team.

"We older guys have taken on new leadership roles, and I think the new guys understand that," Watkins said. "We need to develop an identity early and pick up where the seniors left off."

The Flyers' home opener is against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3.