Could Carroll's men's soccer program be in for hard times?  You might think so if you look at the recent graduates

2008 -

• Dona Lado - Three time all conference, school leader in assists
• Derek Marie - Four year starter, two year all region, four time all conference
• Nate Lembke-Windler - Four year starter, two years all conference
• Alex Goranson - Four year starter two year all conference
• Bram Dahlemans - Two year starter, played on the best defense in school history

2009 -

• Stanislaw Miaskowski - Two year starter, academic All-American, gave up the fewest amount of goals in a single season
• Andy Prentice - Three year starter, 2 year all conference, 2009 player of the year
• Craig Carlson - Three year starter, three time all conference, 2008 player of the year, two time all region

How do these players get replaced?  If you are a fan of the Midwest Conference you have to assume other teams are licking their chops in hopes of getting a shot to supplant the regular season champions.  Teams like Grinnell and Beloit already know they can play with and beat Carroll, taking away a lot of the mistique around the squad.

If the Pioneers have one thing going for them, it's that they haven't always won with the best talent.  After a dissapointing 2003 season, in which they were picked to win conference in a land slide but ended up missing the tournament entirely, the 2004 team was supposed to be a part of a rebuilding process.  As it turns out, the 2004 team gave up the fewest conference goals in a season (until 2008) on their way to a conference crown.

It will be interesting to see how the 2010 squad responds with their youth and largely unknown talent but if I had to guess; the Pioneers will be in the race until the end.

Let's all hope for a great season and no injuries.  Good luck to the Midwest Conference.