The men’s soccer season gets started this weekend in Tulsa, Okla., at the Golden Hurricane Classic. There is excitement surrounding the team following its Final Four appearance last year. Its great run was cut short by a Maryland team that went on to win the National Championship.

The Mustangs lost some key players, including Duke Hashimoto and David Chun, both selected by the Columbus Crew in 2006. But SMU has a host of seniors to step it up for the Mustangs this year. They are led by senior Jay Needham, a defender and mid-fielder from Fort Worth, Texas. Other senior leaders include goalkeeper Matt Wideman, Chase Wileman, Dario Santus, Jordan Mann and Mynor Gonzalez. Also, SMU gained some transfer players who could make an impact.

Expectations are high around SMU, as the team has made consistent appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including their Final Four appearances last year and in 2000. The conference outlook is good for the Mustangs and they expect to compete for and win the Conference USA Championship.

Senior Jay Needham acknowledged two critical games this season, South Carolina, which was a late season loss for the Mustangs last year, and Tulsa. Needham also pointed out the Tulsa rivalry, and the team’s loss to them in the quarterfinals of last year’s C-USA Championship, as well as the second round NCAA Tournament loss in 2004. Both teams travel to Westcott Field this year.

The Mustang soccer team is no stranger to winning awards. Coach Schellas Hyndman leads the SMU hardware parade having won the NSCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year award in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. Also 2002 graduate, Luchi Gonzalez won Soccer America’s College Men’s Player of the Year award in 2001 and won the MAC Collegiate Player of the Year award, also known as the Hermann Trophy. The Hermann is the equivalent to college football’s Heisman. And this year a Mustang is on the 25 player watch list.

Needham is one of 25 players named to the watch list. Needham has started for the Mustangs since his freshman year, including starting every game since his sophomore year. As for being named to this elite list Needham pointed out that anytime you are put in that company it is an “honor” and something to be appreciated.

Needham is a part of the SMU tri-captain system, along with fellow seniors Mynor Gonzalez and Chase Wileman. Needham was also a captain last year. Along with the Hermann watch list Needham has been named the C-USA preseason Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the preseason All-Conference Team, and the national preseason All-American Second Team by collegesoccernews.com.

As for kicking off the season, the Mustangs are already off to a better start than last year. Last year SMU lost their two exhibition games and their first two regular season games. SMU had a strong showing this past Saturday against Oral Roberts, and look to continue in the Golden Hurricane Classic this weekend.

The Mustangs have the “expectation of winning it,” says Needham.